Plainfield Village Board To Pass Moratorium On Data Centers: 'Don't Even Bother Applying'

PLAINFIELD, IL — For the near future, at least, developers looking to build data centers in Plainfield should not "even bother to apply," according to Mayor John Argoudelis.

The Village Board will consider at Monday night's meeting an item to pass a moratorium on data centers. The ordinance would place a 180-day pause on the receipt of applications, the processing and approval, and the issuance of any permit for data centers and warehouses primarily used for storing computing infrastructure.

"We want to make a clear signal that, for the time being, we are not interested in data centers," Argoudelis told Patch, saying the ordinance will pass. He cited environmental concerns and a lack of electricity.

Current zoning and development regulations do not fully account for the "distinct challenges and impacts" of data centers, according to a village memorandum.

With the almost-six-month moratorium, staff, elected officials and consultants can study best practices, evaluate local conditions and develop a new unified development ordinance that addresses unique land use, infrastructure and regulatory considerations associated with data centers.

Until now, any developers interested in building data centers in Plainfield would have had to go before the Village Board to request a special use permit.

The village will not have to ratify any measures within the 180-day timeframe.

"If the UDO update is not completed within the initial 180-day period, the ordinance allows for the moratorium to be extended as needed by formal action of the Village Board," the memorandum reads. "This flexibility ensures that the Village is not pressured to adopt incomplete or insufficient regulations."