DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Voters asked the Decatur City Council Monday night to consider data centers as it works with a consulting firm to create a new unified development ordinance and comprehensive plan.
The city's zoning ordinance was last overhauled in 2002 and no longer reflects the community's needs.
Council voted to approve an agreement with McKenna Associates to draft a new unified development ordinance.
Neighbors asked that data center rules be included in the discussion.
"Do you have the means to restrict these businesses from their water consumption? And I mean before you ask the citizens to stop taking baths," said one resident.
Some council members expressed concern about the impact of data centers, but others said the city should be open to new development.
"The days that we're going to get thousands of jobs coming into this community due to a manufacturer, they're using AI, so there are fewer, so I'll take 30 jobs, I'll take 40 jobs," said Councilmember Pat McDaniel.
Decatur City Manager Melissa Hon said data center developers have reached out to the city, but no concrete proposal has come forward.
There will be an opportunity for the community to weigh in on the new zoning code before it's approved by council.
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