Aurora to vote on data center ordinances after 180-day moratorium

Aurora City Council is preparing to vote on a comprehensive four-part piece of legislation concerning data center development. This vote, scheduled for March 24, coincides with the conclusion of a 180-day moratorium the city implemented last fall to allow staff to research best practices and gather public input. Alison Lindburg, director of sustainability for the city of Aurora, stated the moratorium aimed to ensure data centers become "responsible neighbors" by establishing new standards. During the six-month pause, city staff conducted extensive research, consulted other municipalities, and hosted numerous public engagement opportunities. A key aspect of the proposed legislation is that all new data centers would be classified as conditional use, necessitating City Council approval and further public engagement. Residents voiced significant concerns including noise, increased electricity bills, air and water pollution, substantial water consumption, issues related to AI, and a perceived lack of transparency in the development process. Nine data centers are currently either under development or already operational in Aurora, predating any new legislation. The council may also consider extending the moratorium for an additional 30 days.