You can read the text of the resolution below:
Ordinance Establishing a Temporary Twelve (12)-Month Moratorium on Applications for Data Centers within Unincorporated McHenry County
WHEREAS, McHenry County is a body politic and corporate, organized and existing under the laws of the State of Illinois, and is authorized pursuant to the Illinois Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/5-12001 et seq.) to establish zoning regulations and districts to promote the public health, safety, comfort, and general welfare of its residents; and
WHEREAS, the McHenry County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) establishes the official regulations for land use, development, and zoning classifications within the unincorporated areas of McHenry County; and
WHEREAS, A “Data Center” is generally defined as a facility or portion of a facility which houses computer or network equipment, systems, servers, appliances, and associated mechanical, electrical, backup power storage and/or generation and cooling infrastructure for the purposes of collection, storage, management, processing, and transmission of digital data. Ancillary office, security, or utility structures customarily associated with data center operations may be included as part of the use. The term includes facilities operated as standalone buildings, portions of a building, or as part of a larger multi-building datacenter campus, and is distinct from general industrial, office, or warehouse uses; and
WHEREAS, the McHenry County UDO does not currently list, define, or recognize “Data Centers” as a permitted, conditional, or accessory land use within any established zoning district; and
WHEREAS, the County Board deems it necessary and in the best interest of the public health, safety, and welfare to impose a temporary, twelve (12)-month moratorium on the acceptance, processing, review, and issuance of any zoning approvals or permits for data centers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS, AS FOLLOWS:
A. A temporary moratorium is hereby established on the submission, receipt, processing, review, and approval of any application for a zoning map amendment, UDO text amendment, Conditional Use Permit, Use Determination, Site Plan Review, variance, or building permit that would have the effect of permitting, authorizing, or establishing a Data Center within unincorporated McHenry
County.
B. This moratorium shall take effect immediately upon passage and shall remain in full force and effect for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of adoption, unless repealed, modified, or extended by formal action of the McHenry County Board.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the County Clerk is hereby authorized to distribute an electronic copy of this Ordinance to the Director of Planning and Development and the County Administrator.
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its passage, as provided by law.
DATED at Woodstock, Illinois, this 17th day of November, A.D., 2026
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The resolution is on the October 6th agenda of the Planning, Environment & Development Committee.
