Plainfield considers moratorium on data center proposals while developing guidelines

Plainfield village trustees are scheduled to vote Monday on a proposed 180-day temporary moratorium on new data center and computing infrastructure warehouse applications. Village Administrator Joshua Blakemore stated in a memo to Mayor John Argoudelis and trustees that this measure is necessary to allow the village sufficient time to prepare and adopt a new Unified Development Ordinance. This updated ordinance would address the specific land use, infrastructure, and regulatory considerations associated with data centers, which are not adequately covered by existing regulations. The decision comes amidst public opposition to data center developments in neighboring communities like Joliet and Yorkville. As a home-rule community, Plainfield has the authority to enact such an ordinance. During the moratorium, the village intends to monitor and interpret pending legislation in the Illinois General Assembly that could establish state-level environmental, water, and energy regulations for data centers. The proposed ordinance also includes flexibility for the moratorium to be extended by the village board if the UDO update is not completed within the initial 180-day period.