Zoning Board of Appeals - Zoning Hearing, 10-30-26

The McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on October 30, 2026, on petition Z260059, a proposed 12-month moratorium related to data centers. County staff said the pause would give the county time to develop zoning, building-code, and performance standards for potential data center proposals; no developer or pending application was identified. Staff described the moratorium as a precaution intended to protect the county’s position while regulations are prepared, with collaboration planned among municipalities, planners, and other experts. The board discussed the proposal’s legal and procedural framing and its possible effects on public health, safety, and welfare.

The ZBA voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend approval to the County Board; the County Board would make the final decision. Members supported taking time to study data center impacts and mitigation, while some raised concerns that presenting the moratorium as a text amendment was confusing and said the process should be clarified for future cases. No contracts, purchasing decisions, funding allocations, or other procurement activity were identified.