Bloomington City Council to discuss data center moratorium

The Bloomington City Council is slated to discuss a temporary moratorium on hyperscale data center applications at an upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting. City spokeswoman Katherine Murphy indicated that this discussion stems from two public meetings held by Mayor Dan Brady on May 2, where residents voiced concerns about the environmental and infrastructure impacts of data centers. Feedback highlighted a desire for more robust zoning standards than those adopted in 2025, prompted by a hyperscale data center's interest in adjacent land. City Manager Jeff Jurgens stated that staff would propose the temporary moratorium to allow for a comprehensive review process and the consideration of updated regulations. Mayor Brady emphasized that this pause would provide the city with time to assess standards and gather further community input, ensuring a thoughtful approach to data center development. Murphy clarified that any formal action on a moratorium would require a vote by the City Council at a future meeting.