By: Grok

Bloomington only has one chance to get this right. If they fail, data centers will be approved because the application complies with a faulty ordinance. Of course the State of Illinois could pass laws (after the election) returning to their pre-campaign stance of funding them. https://blnnews.com/2026/10/10/yes-pritzker-was-for-data-centers/

If you want to read 20 pages, go for it here: https://bloomingtonil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/4418/files/attachment/13282

Otherwise, read this AI version of what it says:

Key Elements of the Proposed Amendments

1. Definitions

• Clear definition of “Data Center.”
• Aggregation rules so developers cannot evade size thresholds by splitting projects across parcels, ownership entities, or phases.
• Distinction between standard Data Centers and Hyperscale Data Centers (larger facilities with significantly greater infrastructure demands).

2. New Dedicated Section (§ 44-1048 – Data Centers) Creates a full regulatory framework covering:

• Application & Processing
  Detailed site-plan requirements, proof of ownership, and administrative review.
• Required Studies & Plans (before approval)
  Noise modeling, vibration analysis, energy consumption modeling, public infrastructure/services impact report, operations plan, and decommissioning/site restoration plan.
• Required Agreements
  • All Data Centers need a Development Agreement (City Council approval).
  • Hyperscale Data Centers also need a Community Benefits Agreement.
  • Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) related to hyperscale projects are prohibited.
• Design & Performance Standards
  • Building height limits and architectural standards.
  • Strict sound attenuation (enclosures for mechanical equipment).
  • Energy efficiency: Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of ≤ 1.2.
  • Grid-impact reduction (on-site renewable energy, energy storage, or approved alternative).
  • Water-use efficiency requirements.
  • Environmental protections (PFAS prohibition, DarkSky lighting standards, surface-water quality).
• Buffers, Setbacks & Screening
  Enhanced setbacks and screening, especially for hyperscale facilities and near residential, hospital, daycare, or school uses.
  Specific distance requirements for chillers (e.g., 1,000 ft) and generators (e.g., 500 ft) from sensitive uses.
• Operational Standards
  • Noise limits: 57 dB(A) daytime / 47 dB(A) nighttime at the property line.
  • Vibration limits with continuous monitoring requirements.
  • Generators restricted to emergency use only (no baseload); limited testing windows; Tier 4 emissions standards.
  • Annual reporting on energy, water, noise, and vibration (with third-party verification and public disclosure).

3. Supporting Code Changes Updates to business and manufacturing district use tables, bulk/site standards, performance standards, accessory structures, definitions, and enforcement/penalty provisions so data centers are properly classified and regulated.

Staff Recommendation (from the accompanying report)

Staff recommends the Planning Commission continue the public hearing to a special meeting on November 16, 2026, so testimony from the October 16 hearing can be incorporated and the draft refined before any final recommendation to City Council.

In short, this document is Bloomington’s proposed comprehensive zoning framework designed to allow data centers while imposing significant restrictions on noise, energy use, water consumption, environmental impact, and proximity to residential areas—especially for large hyperscale facilities.

If the changes below make building too difficult, data centers won’t be built. These are Grok suggested changes to better protect citizens, of course Grok is AI which is why data centers are needed.

E. Performance & Operational Standards – Noise

(1) Maximum Sound Levels. Continuous sound levels attributable to the Data Center shall not exceed the following limits, measured at the nearest residential property line, school, hospital, daycare, or other sensitive receptor, or at the property line of any Residential District, whichever is closer:

(a) Daytime (7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.): 50 dB(A)
(b) Nighttime (10:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.): 40 dB(A)

(2) Low-Frequency and Tonal Noise. In addition to the A-weighted limits above:
(a) Sound levels shall not exceed 60 dB(C) at any time at the measurement locations specified in (1).
(b) No pure-tone, tonal, or narrow-band noise shall be audible above ambient levels at any sensitive receptor. Compliance shall be determined using ANSI S12.9 or ISO/TS 20065 methods, including a tonal penalty of not less than 5 dB where applicable.

(3) Measurement and Monitoring.
(a) All measurements shall be conducted by a qualified independent acoustical professional using Type 1 instrumentation meeting ANSI standards.
(b) The operator shall install and maintain continuous noise monitoring equipment at locations approved by the Zoning Administrator. Real-time data shall be made publicly available online.
(c) Pre-construction noise modeling and a post-construction verification study (conducted under representative full-load operating conditions) shall be required before issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
(d) Annual third-party compliance testing shall be required for the first five (5) years of operation and every two (2) years thereafter. Results shall be submitted to the City and posted publicly.

D. Buffers, Screening, and Setbacks

(1) Minimum Setbacks from Sensitive Uses. No principal building, cooling equipment (including chillers), generator, battery energy storage system, substation, or fuel storage facility associated with a Data Center shall be located closer than one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet to:
(a) The property line of any existing dwelling, school, hospital, daycare facility, nursing home, or park; or
(b) The boundary of any Residential Zoning District.

(2) These setbacks shall apply to all phases of a multi-building or campus development and shall not be reduced by subsequent changes in ownership, phasing, or parcel configuration.

(3) The City Council may require greater setbacks based on site-specific noise modeling, topography, equipment configuration, or other evidence presented during the public hearing process.

(4) Water Use and Cooling Systems.

(a) Potable or drinking water from the municipal supply or private wells shall not be used for cooling purposes. All cooling systems shall be closed-loop, air-cooled, or use only recycled, reclaimed, or non-potable water sources approved by the City.

(b) The operator shall submit an annual Water Use Report documenting total volume by source, peak daily demand, and any discharges. The report shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer and made publicly available.

(c) A Drought Contingency Plan shall be submitted and approved prior to operation. The plan shall include mandatory staged reductions in water use during declared drought conditions.

F. Monitoring, Reporting, and Enforcement

(1) Public Data Access. The operator shall maintain a publicly accessible online dashboard displaying real-time or near real-time data for noise levels, vibration, energy consumption, and water use.

(2) Citizen-Requested Testing. Upon written request by any resident living within one (1) mile of the facility who provides credible evidence of a possible exceedance, the City may require the operator to fund independent testing within thirty (30) days.

(3) Violations. Any exceedance of the noise, vibration, or water standards established herein that is not corrected within the time specified by the Zoning Administrator shall constitute a violation. Repeated or serious violations may result in suspension of the Certificate of Occupancy or other enforcement actions authorized by this Code, including daily fines.

G. On-Site Electricity Generation and Grid Export

(1) On-Site Generation Requirement.
Every Data Center shall design, install, and continuously operate on-site electricity generation capacity sufficient to supply not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the facility’s peak electrical demand, as demonstrated in the approved Energy Consumption Modeling Report.
For Hyperscale Data Centers, the on-site generation capacity shall supply not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the facility’s peak electrical demand.

(2) Acceptable Generation Sources.
On-site generation shall consist of renewable energy systems (solar, wind, nuclear or other renewable technologies approved by the City) and/or battery energy storage systems configured to store and discharge electricity. Fossil-fuel generation (including diesel, natural gas, or dual-fuel generators) shall not count toward the on-site generation requirement except when used solely for emergency backup purposes as otherwise regulated in this Section.

(3) Export of Excess Power.
Any electricity generated on-site that is not consumed by the Data Center at any given time shall be exported to the electric grid under a net-metering, feed-in, or equivalent interconnection agreement with the serving utility. The operator shall not curtail or restrict export of excess power except as required for safety, grid stability, or utility directives.

(4) Interconnection and Reporting.
(a) The operator shall obtain all necessary interconnection approvals from the serving utility and the City prior to operation.
(b) The operator shall submit an annual report, prepared by a licensed professional engineer, documenting:
– Total on-site generation (kWh);
– Total facility consumption (kWh);
– Total electricity exported to the grid (kWh); and
– Compliance with the percentage requirements in subsection (1).
(c) Real-time or near real-time generation and export data shall be made publicly available through the same online dashboard required for noise and water monitoring.

(5) Failure to Comply.
Failure to maintain the required on-site generation capacity or to export excess power as required herein shall constitute a violation of this Section and may result in suspension of the Certificate of Occupancy, daily fines, or other enforcement actions authorized by this Code.