Zoning board advances proposed data center moratorium in Champaign County

The Champaign County Zoning Board of Appeals has voted to advance a proposed 12-month moratorium on large-scale data center development. The decision, made in Urbana, Illinois, followed a public hearing that gathered extensive community input regarding the rapid expansion of data centers. This proposed moratorium aims to temporarily pause new data center projects within Champaign County, providing local officials with time to research potential environmental and infrastructural impacts, and to develop comprehensive long-term regulations. Concerns raised include the strain on local resources such as water and electricity. The measure will next be reviewed by the Champaign County Board Environmental Land Use Committee, with a potential meeting date as early as April 9. Subsequently, the full county board is expected to hold a final vote on the moratorium later in April. The Prairie Rivers Network has voiced strong support for the initiative, stating that the pause is crucial for creating a robust ordinance that holds data center developers accountable and ensures communities have a greater say in decisions affecting their resources.