The Normal Town Council on Monday unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on the development of data centers. Bloomington City Council members appear ready to do the same next week.
Normal’s moratorium will last until Nov. 30. It pauses applications and approvals of permit issuances for data centers. That time will give the town a chance to prepare rules and regulations that address town needs if a land use application is considered.
“We are suggesting that a moratorium for up to six months gives us time to determine appropriate land use regulations and come back to council with recommendations,” said City Manager Pam Reece. “And we would go through the process with public input and through the planning commission process for appropriate regulations associated with data center installations in our community.”
The Bloomington City Council held a nonvoting Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, when a possible moratorium was discussed. Council members there were united in support of a six-month moratorium on data centers, saying concerns over water, energy and other impacts to the community needed to be understood before “hyperscale” centers could be allowed.
City staff was asked to prepare a moratorium ordinance for the May 26 council meeting.
Normal’s council meeting
In Normal, Mayor Chris Koos gave some detail pertaining to the interest some have in public feedback or information sessions in the same vein as the public forums seen in Bloomington.
“Over the weekend, council received an email and some offering to assist with information gathering and public education about data center use from the chamber of commerce, so we know there are community members and agencies that have an interest in exploring this topic,” said Koos.
But Koos said the town was still in the information-gathering stage. He said town staff has gathered information from Illinois municipalities that already have adopted regulations and the National League of Cities. Both are examples of ways the town has learned more about what options it may have at its disposal for usage and regulation expectations.
Public commenters also spoke prior to the meeting.
“The private companies capture all the upsides, where we residents and taxpayers bear the costs,” said Chad Berck, who previously ran in the Normal Township supervisor race.
“At this point in time, a moratorium is necessary, so our town can establish the guardrails necessary to protect our water, to protect our energy, to protect ratepayers from the impacts of these data centers,” said Ryan Herron, member of Illinois People’s Action.
“We believe that data centers are probably the biggest opportunity that we have in front of us right now, when it comes to growth,” said Kevin Woodard, speaking on behalf of the McLean County Libertarian Party.
Bloomington’s council meeting
In Bloomington, city council members have not yet voted on the moratorium. But on Monday they took turns voicing support for it, saying they needed to understand data center impacts.
“This would have been an easy vote months ago, if we would have had that, but I'm glad to see that it’s coming to us now,” said Ward 6 council member Cody Hendricks.
Council member Micheal Mosley suggested using the time to bring in experts to help educate the council on the issues and technical implications around data centers. Specifically, he wanted to examine what type of data centers might be a suitable fit for the community, what infrastructure protections are needed, and how to balance economic development with power and water demands.
Council member Michael Straza agreed, and he echoed some of the public's concerns over water needs — particularly given the drought that strained the city’s water supply.
“We’re going to have to find another water source no matter what,” he said.
Ward 3 council member Sheila Montney said she once drove by a 1,500-acre center that stretched for 2.8 miles.
“That type of hyperscale data center, I don’t think is anything we should ever entertain in this community,” she said, drawing applause.
Ruth Burke of Old Town Township said the idea of a data center in southeast Bloomington makes her reconsider investing in her farm about a mile away.
Several of the public commenters thanked the Bloomington council for letting them speak, and for the “proactive discussion” around the issue. Others suggested going against the will of the people could have consequences.
“The people do not want a data center, and it may very well may be the No. 1 issue that they keep in mind when they go to the ballot box,” Burke said.
County government is considering its own rules for data centers.
