Tazewell County takes first step toward declaring a data center moratorium
Tazewell County's land use committee has recommended a nine-month moratorium on data center proposals, which will proceed to a public hearing with the Zoning Board of Appeals. This move aims to address residents' concerns and allow time for a comprehensive data center ordinance to be drafted. The county already has a zoning amendment in place that prevents unlisted land uses, effectively serving as a temporary moratorium.
The Tazewell County Board's land use committee has advanced a recommendation for a nine-month moratorium on data center proposals. This proposal will first be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) during a public hearing next month. If approved by the ZBA, it will return to the committee for further discussion before a final vote by the full county board.
Currently, Tazewell County has a zoning code amendment, adopted in April, which prohibits any land use not explicitly allowed or adapted by supplemental ordinance, effectively acting as a temporary moratorium. This new, explicit moratorium is intended to alleviate resident concerns while county staff and committees work on drafting a comprehensive data center ordinance.
Committee members Eric Stahl and Eugene Glueck expressed that the moratorium would reassure constituents and make the public more comfortable. Committee chair Russ Crawford, initially against the moratorium due to the existing zoning amendment, ultimately supported the measure to placate public fears.
Crawford also proposed forming a 'Tazewell County Data Center Task Force,' to be chaired by Community Development Administrator Jackie Workman. This task force, comprising fewer than 10 members and drawing inspiration from Aurora's data center ordinance, would assist in developing the new county ordinance. Neighboring Woodford and McLean counties, along with the cities of Bloomington and Normal, already have similar data center moratoriums in place.