Evanston's Land Use Commission (LUC) is scheduled to vote the week of Nov. 9 on a one-year freeze on new data center approvals in the city, Evanston Now reported.

The proposed zoning text amendment would block any new data center projects for 12 months. During that time, city staff would study data center impacts and how other municipalities have regulated them before recommending longer-term legislation to the City Council.

The LUC vote would send the proposal to the full City Council for final action.

Five alders back the proposal

Ald. Krissie Harris (2nd Ward) submitted the referral in early October. Four co-sponsors signed on: Alds. Clare Kelly (1st), Bobby Burns (5th), Parielle Davis (7th) and Matt Rodgers (8th).

Harris's proposal calls for comprehensive infrastructure and grid audits before any data center project wins approval, Evanston Now previously reported.

Nearly all nine council members have indicated they will back the moratorium, according to Evanston Now. Ald. Shawn Iles (3rd) called a pause a "good idea" to allow the city to "do a deep dive on the consequences of data centers." Ald. Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th) said he would "support a moratorium of some length." Ald. Juan Geracaris (9th) also said he would support the measure.

Hartrey Avenue proposal sparked the push

The moratorium effort began after a small-scale data center was proposed in September at 1265 Hartrey Ave. in the 2nd Ward. Reed Beidler of Lark Management submitted a zoning application for a "computer processing center" in nearly 20,000 square feet of the building, which is zoned I2 for general industrial use.

Beidler described the facility as a "rowboat" compared to the massive data centers built for artificial intelligence that have drawn backlash nationwide, according to Evanston Now's September coverage.

The proposed center would fit inside the existing building, use existing utility infrastructure and employ four to eight full-time engineering and technical workers, according to a memo Beidler provided. No tax incentives were being sought.

City staff determined the proposed facility does not appear to qualify as a permitted or special use under Evanston's existing regulations, according to a city update on the Hartrey application. Staff said a text amendment to the city code would likely be necessary before that type of use could be established.

City Manager Luke Stowe said Evanston's zoning code does not currently allow data centers, calling it a "de facto" moratorium. He also opened the door for the City Council to pass an official one.

Modeled on Aurora's approach

The proposed Evanston legislation is largely based on a moratorium adopted in Aurora, according to Evanston Now. Aurora initially imposed a six-month pause on new data centers before enacting strict regulations on water use, energy use and noise emissions.

Other Illinois communities, including Plainfield and West Chicago, have approved their own data center pauses. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has proposed a one-year moratorium there.

If the LUC advances the measure, the City Council would take the final vote.