Data Center Signal is tracking 7 clips about Lark Management data center developments across 1 states, including IL.
Evanston officials are considering a one-year moratorium that would suspend city incentives and zoning approvals for data centers. The proposal follows Lark Management’s application to convert a former industrial building on Hartrey Avenue into a computer processing center, which city staff said does not currently comply with zoning rules.
Nearly all Evanston alderpersons and Mayor Daniel Biss support placing a moratorium on data center approvals, potentially for one year. The proposed pause follows opposition to a small data center planned at 1265 Hartrey Ave. and would allow the city to conduct infrastructure and power-grid audits before approving future projects.
Evanston residents, the Mayor, and the Environment Board are strongly opposing a proposed data center by Lark Management. City staff determined the project is not permissible under current zoning rules, and a de facto moratorium is in place, with calls for a formal moratorium. Residents cite environmental and economic concerns.
Evanston City Manager Luke Stowe announced that a proposed data center does not meet current zoning requirements, creating a "de facto moratorium" on data centers in the city. A text amendment to the zoning code would likely be required for the project to proceed. Residents and the city's Environment Board are calling for an official moratorium due to environmental impact concerns.
Evanston developer Reed Beidler of Lark Management is proposing a small-scale computer processing center at 1265 Hartrey Ave., which he describes as a "mouse" compared to larger data centers. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss has publicly stated his opposition to the proposal, citing environmental and societal concerns related to AI and data centers. Beidler has filed a zoning analysis application, the first step in the city's approval process.
Residents at a 2nd Ward meeting in Evanston, Illinois, voiced significant concerns regarding a proposed data center, citing potential environmental, economic, and social impacts, alongside high energy and water consumption. A zoning analysis application has been submitted for the facility, but Alderman Krissie Harris is awaiting more details before making a decision.
Residents in Evanston's Second Ward voiced strong opposition to a proposed data center at a community meeting. An unnamed applicant, represented by property owner Lark Management, filed a zoning analysis application for the 19,650 sq ft site, but City Councilmember Krissie Harris stated no decision has been made yet. Concerns were raised about energy and water consumption, noise pollution, and the potential for the project to circumvent the city's Healthy Buildings Ordinance.