Tazewell County land use panel eyes strict industrial zoning for future data centers
The Tazewell County Board's Land Use Committee is reviewing a proposed ordinance to strictly zone future data centers, limiting them to industrial areas and banning them from agricultural and residential districts. Community members voiced opposition, arguing the proposed regulations are insufficient and calling for an immediate moratorium on all data center projects in the county. The committee is set to continue discussions on the ordinance.
The Tazewell County Board's Land Use Committee has reviewed the initial draft of a proposed data center ordinance, aiming to restrict such facilities to industrially zoned land within unincorporated areas. The committee seeks to prohibit data centers from agricultural and residential districts. Under these proposed rules, developers would need to secure a special use permit, submit noise modeling studies, and detail water containment plans for fire emergencies.
During the review, East Peoria resident Suzanne Vanderham, among other community members, argued that the proposed regulations are inadequate. Vanderham emphasized the need for economic growth but not at the expense of local water, air, energy costs, or actual job openings for residents, urging the full board to enact an immediate moratorium on all data center projects in Tazewell County. Opponents highlighted their past success in canceling a data center project in Pekin and their current efforts to stop another planned facility in Delavan.
No official action was taken at the initial reading of the ordinance. The Land Use Committee is scheduled to reconvene on August 18 to continue discussions on the language of the proposed regulations.