LaSalle County committee reviews draft zoning rules for data centers, flags water, power and screening concerns

LaSalle County planning staff presented a draft zoning text amendment for data centers and committee members spent the bulk of the meeting asking for stricter, more specific requirements on water, backup power and screening.

The draft, which Brian said was assembled using Sangamon County language as an example, is intended to create a permitting path and special‑use standards for data centers in the county. "We did get, some inquiries into, possibly setting up a, developing a data center in LaSalle County," Brian said.

Committee members said the draft needs clearer, project‑specific obligations. Commissioners repeatedly asked for explicit requirements on backup generation and fuel type, battery energy storage systems (BESS), hydrological studies and limits on well usage.

"I think we do need to look at, you know, if they're just using generators to generate electricity for it or whether it's just for backup," Brian said, noting that the application should state whether a site intends to generate electricity on site or remain grid‑tied.

Why it matters: data centers can use large amounts of electricity and water and may include on‑site generators and battery systems that pose public‑safety and environmental issues. County officials said zoning language should make project impacts — on the electrical grid, groundwater and adjacent uses — clear before a special use is approved.

Key discussion points and committee requests
- Backup power and emissions: Commissioners pressed for explicit limits or conditions if a project proposes on‑site power generation. Members cited controversies elsewhere over diesel generators, calling for screening and noise/acoustic mitigation and for strict identification of generator fuel type in applications.
- Battery energy storage (BESS): The draft allows BESS accessory to large energy projects. Sandy (comment noted to staff) asked whether BESS standards should be placed in the same section as data centers; Brian said the next draft may add that language. Committee members asked that setbacks for BESS follow existing county solar setbacks.
- Water and wells: Members discussed high‑capacity well impacts and monitoring. Commissioners asked for hydrological studies, limits on number/size of wells (69 gallons per minute was mentioned as a reference point in discussion), and periodic monitoring requirements. Brian said the county's last countywide water report dates to 02/2016 and suggested additional study requirements could be added to the ordinance.
- Grid and capacity studies: Farm Bureau and others had suggested an electrical grid impact study by an independent third party; members asked staff to consider such a requirement.
- Screening, setbacks and height: Staff noted existing setbacks (150 feet similar to solar) and bollard/ security requirements can apply; commissioners asked for screening that covers large equipment and for consideration of acoustic screening and planting heights at time of planting.
- Zoning districts and rezoning: Members discussed allowing data centers in I‑1 (industrial) or A‑1 (agricultural) with potential rezoning; staff noted much I‑1 land is owned by Exelon and that rezoning or annexation could be necessary.

What the county will do next: Brian said staff will incorporate the committee's comments, look at Sangamon and other local examples, and produce a revised draft for the committee and for referral to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for hearing.

No formal vote was taken on the draft language at this meeting; the committee asked staff to return with a revised draft for further consideration.