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Issue · Aurora, IL

Data Center Zoning and Performance Standards

Residents face health and quality-of-life impacts from noise/vibration while the city weighs tax revenue and economic development.

Overview

Council is deliberating new ordinances that would move data centers from permitted to conditional uses in certain zones, impose noise limits, water-use restrictions, and up to 0.5-mile buffers from residences. Residents cite sleep disruption, hearing risks, and grid strain; staff and developers emphasize jobs and revenue. Multiple meetings ended with items forwarded without recommendation for further technical review.

Arguments in favor
Strict buffers and performance standards needed to protect neighborhoods from low-frequency noise and high water/electricity demand
city-council 2026-03-10
For
Residents report health impacts and demand 0.5-mile setbacks plus generator testing limits
committee-of-the-whole 2026-03-18
For
Arguments against
Overly restrictive rules risk litigation and loss of tax base; staff recommendations preferred over Plan Commission limits
committee-of-the-whole 2026-03-18
Against
What's next

Further review in Committee on Ways; possible zoning ordinance amendments

data centernoise pollutionzoningM1 M2 ORI