Moore denies prior data center discussions
Kewanee Mayor Gary Moore denied that a developer had specifically discussed a data center with him before the City Council adopted a data center ordinance. The ordinance limits data centers to M-2 manufacturing districts and requires special-use approval from both the Planning Commission and City Council.
Kewanee Mayor Gary Moore said he had not been approached about a specific data center proposal before the City Council approved its data center ordinance on Aug. 10. Moore said he had spoken with Pawel Nowak about zoning requirements and possible retail development but that Nowak never explicitly mentioned a data center, although Moore suspected one might eventually be part of the proposal.
Moore said his concerns prompted him to raise data center regulations at a July 27 council meeting. The adopted ordinance restricts data centers to M-2 manufacturing districts and requires approval from the Planning Commission and City Council. Nowak later presented his proposal during public comment after missing the deadline for placement on the Oct. 12 council agenda.