Industrial park developer eyes land in south Rockford for new project
Venture One Real Estate is seeking to rezone land in south Rockford from agricultural to industrial use, with a public hearing delayed until June 16. Local residents have raised concerns that this project could be tied to a nearby proposed data center by Monarch Energy. City officials have clarified that Venture One's proposal does not include a data center and an addendum will prevent such development on the site.
Venture One Real Estate, a Rosemont-based developer, is seeking to rezone a parcel of land in south Rockford, Illinois, from agricultural to I-3 industrial use. The property, located along Edson Road near Gensler Gardens, is currently under Winnebago County's jurisdiction, but Venture One has an annexation agreement with the City of Rockford. The developer aims to create an industrial site that leverages its proximity to a rail line, highway system, and the Chicago-Rockford International Airport.
The rezoning proposal was initially slated for a hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals but was delayed until June 16 because Venture One did not appear. This delay comes amidst significant concern from local residents, including Kelly Lewis and Stephanie Snyder, who attended the meeting to inquire about a potential connection to a proposed data center by Monarch Energy on an adjacent site. Residents expressed worries about the environmental impact, energy and water usage, and noise associated with data centers.
Scott Capovilla, the city's planning and zoning manager, addressed resident concerns, stating that Venture One's plan explicitly does not include a data center. He assured residents that the annexation agreement for the parcels would include an addendum preventing any data center development on that specific property. The proposed site is also part of a larger South Rockford Industrial TIF district currently under City Council consideration.