'They bring serious concerns': Board votes to temporarily ban new data centers in unincorporated Lake County
The Lake County Board in Illinois has voted to pursue an eight-month temporary moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated areas, aiming to establish definitions, zoning classifications, and performance standards. This action follows criticism of a previously approved T5 Data Center Campus in the incorporated Village of Grayslake, which is now facing expected litigation from residents. Officials cited concerns about water and energy use, infrastructure demands, and the need for a transparent public process.
The Lake County Board in Illinois has initiated a process to implement an eight-month temporary moratorium on new data center approvals within unincorporated areas of the county. This decision, approved earlier this month, aims to allow county staff sufficient time to research and develop comprehensive definitions, zoning classifications, performance standards, and review procedures for data centers, which are not currently specifically regulated under county ordinances.
The board's resolution directs the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals to conduct a public hearing later this summer to discuss these proposed amendments. While the full eight-month moratorium is still in the legislative process, the resolution immediately authorized the Lake County Planning, Building and Development department to pause the review of any data center applications for up to four months.
Board members, including Chair Sandy Hart, PBZ&E Committee Chair Marah Altenberg, and District 16 Board Member Esiah A. Campos, emphasized the need for careful evaluation of potential impacts. They highlighted serious concerns regarding data centers' substantial demands on local water resources, increased electricity consumption, and strain on the power grid. Campos stated the community "deserves the time and diligence necessary to get this right" before approving large-scale developments.
The county's action was partly spurred by public scrutiny and criticism surrounding the T5 Data Center Campus in the incorporated Village of Grayslake, which was approved last year by the Grayslake Village Board. Although the county has no data center applications pending in unincorporated areas, residents are reportedly expecting to file litigation to block the Grayslake project, which spans up to 472 acres and 10.1 million square feet.