The Galesburg city council voted unanimously Monday to impose a 180-day moratorium on data center development, blocking the city from accepting, processing, or approving any data center permits through April 3, 2027.
City Manager Eric Hanson said the city has not received any such applications to date. He said the moratorium will give the city time to evaluate the infrastructure, energy, environmental, and waste demands associated with data centers — and to develop thorough regulations.
Hanson said a 180-day moratorium was the legal recommendation length based on existing case law, and the goal is to have a plan in place before any applications are received.
That’s as debates over data center development continue at the state and national level.
“In addition to evaluating whatever the state wants to do, council can always provide direction to staff relative to what your priorities may be on the subject, including a limiting or banning ordinance,” Hanson said. “But that would need to go through the planning and zoning process, the development committee process. That's a longer process to implement.”
The moratorium ordinance was scheduled for first reading at Monday’s council meeting, but Ward Four Council Member Dwight White moved to advance it to second reading. That was approved 6-1, with Ward Two Council Member Wendel Hunigan voting no.
The council then voted 7-0 to approve the moratorium.
Ward Seven Council Member Steve Cheesman said it’s important to gather as much information as possible on data centers.
“Everything that I've read so far shows that this is not a good idea,” Cheesman said. “That's the way I feel right now.”
Galesburg resident Marian Spurgeon, who spoke during public comment, had urged the council to consider a three-year moratorium.
"Why, councilors, if the goal is to meaningfully block data centers, are you suggesting 180 days to expire at the April election? Why aren't you suggesting a moratorium of at least three years? This feels like a shot across the bow,” Spurgeon said.
She urged the Galesburg and Knox County communities to be curious and educated about data centers.
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