Mattoon Data Center Moratorium: Unanimous Vote Pauses Projects For A Year
The Mattoon City Council has enacted a one-year moratorium on large-scale data center developments within city limits and its surrounding mile-and-a-half zone. This proactive measure aims to give the city time to study the potential impacts and update zoning ordinances and regulations to handle the unique demands of such facilities. During this period, no new applications, permits, or licenses for large data center projects will be accepted or processed.
The Mattoon City Council has unanimously enacted a one-year moratorium on large-scale data center developments, effective September 1st, by adopting Resolution Number 2026-3352. This decision puts a temporary halt on new zoning applications, building permits, and licenses for any data center project exceeding 21,780 square feet within Mattoon city limits and its extraterritorial jurisdiction.
City Council Members emphasized that the resolution is a proactive step, not targeting a specific project or developer, but rather providing time to assess how large data centers could impact the community. The council determined that existing zoning ordinances, development regulations, and building codes may be inadequate to address the significant demands these facilities place on power consumption, water usage for cooling, stormwater management, transportation, and emergency services.
This move by Mattoon mirrors actions taken by over 200 municipalities nationwide, as rapid expansion of data centers driven by AI and cloud computing has prompted local governments to pause development and study its implications. Concerns consistently cited include massive electrical demand affecting utility rates, high water usage, and outdated zoning codes. The moratorium will automatically renew annually unless the council votes to end it, a decision that would require a formal public hearing.
During the moratorium period, the city will not process applications for large data centers. However, smaller commercial-scale data centers under half an acre, deemed necessary for local and regional businesses, are exempt from the pause. Illinois courts have generally upheld such temporary land-use moratoriums as constitutional if they serve a legitimate public purpose.