Bloomington City Council members were united Monday night 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.
The Committee of the Whole meeting Monday was for discussion, and no votes took place. But city staff was asked to prepare a moratorium ordinance for the May 26 meeting. Normal Town Council was scheduled for a similar discussion Monday night. County government is considering its own rules for data centers.
The meeting attracted around 30 members of the public. Fourteen of them addressed the council during public comment — all voicing opposition to data centers and support for a moratorium of at least six months. Another 15 had emailed in comments against data centers. One audience member held a sign that said “No Data Centers.”
Council members
Council members took turns voicing support for the moratorium, saying they needed to understand the impacts they could consider otherwise.
“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 Michael 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 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 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.
Public comment
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 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.
This story will be updated following the Normal Town Council meeting.
