Yorkville City Council Approves Data Center Campus Amid Controversy

The Yorkville City Council has granted initial approval for a controversial data center campus spanning approximately 1,000 acres in the northwest region of Yorkville, Illinois. The development, known as Project Cardinal, is spearheaded by Pioneer Development, LLC, alongside local property owners. This decision follows extensive discussions and public hearings reflecting resident concerns regarding the project’s potential impact on the community.

Situated in the northwest corner of Yorkville, the proposed campus encompasses a total of 20 parcels located near the borders of Sugar Grove. The project includes plans for 14 data center buildings, as well as two electrical substations, a utility switchyard, and stormwater detention basins. The City Council’s approval comes after the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended rezoning the land and a Planned Unit Development (PUD) plan in July.

Despite the green light, the project has faced significant opposition from some residents. During a meeting on November 10, 2023, the council voted unanimously to approve the annexation and PUD agreements after a lengthy discussion, which included resident comments expressing their concerns. Yorkville City Administrator Bart Olson addressed these issues, emphasizing the strategic advantages Illinois has for data center construction, including its energy supply and investment incentives.

The data center campus is expected to enhance local property values, generating additional property taxes for local taxing bodies such as the school district, without contributing to an increase in student population typically associated with residential developments. Olson noted that the data center could potentially become the city’s second-largest employer, creating between 750 and 1,000 jobs once operational.

In response to community concerns, changes have been made to the project’s construction phasing. Initially, construction was planned to begin on the west side of the site; however, Olson announced that the northeast section will now be developed first to minimize disruption for nearby residents. Additionally, the campus layout has been adjusted to ensure the buildings are closer together and further from residential areas. A 100-foot-wide landscape buffer will also be established, incorporating approximately 4,900 new trees.

Water use has emerged as a crucial issue in discussions surrounding the project. Instead of utilizing municipal water for cooling, the developers plan to implement closed-loop air chillers, reserving municipal water solely for domestic use, estimated at around 170,000 gallons daily when fully operational. Olson reassured residents that nuclear energy generation on-site would be prohibited, and any future development would require additional approval from the City Council.

Despite these reassurances, opposition persists. A petition against both Project Cardinal and another proposed data center called Project Steel has garnered over 1,300 signatures. John Bryan, a local resident and critic, has even filed a lawsuit against the city regarding the proposal, asserting that the city has neglected its responsibilities to the community.

Supporters of the data center argue for its economic potential, highlighting the job creation and investment it could bring to the area. Alderman Arden Joe Plocher characterized the project as one of the least impactful industrial developments possible, stating, “These are just, generally, large buildings that house computers.”

While the council has approved key agreements, Olson emphasized that this does not signify an immediate start to construction. Remaining steps include finalizing rezoning ordinances and negotiating impact fees, along with ongoing discussions regarding infrastructure upgrades. As of now, no construction date has been established, leaving residents awaiting further developments.

For more detailed information about Project Cardinal, residents can refer to the city’s official website.