Evanston Officials Proposed Data Center Moratorium
A city council proposal seeks a one-year halt on new data center zoning approvals and incentives in Evanston.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Data Centers
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Councilmember Krissie Harris has proposed a one-year moratorium on all new data center zoning and incentive approvals in Evanston. Five of the nine city council members are currently co-sponsoring the measure, which aims to provide time for rigorous infrastructure and grid audits.
Why it matters
The proposal seeks to ensure the city can adequately manage potential impacts on water and power usage before allowing further development. It also serves as a strategic pause to prevent the city from becoming overwhelmed by new data center applications.
The proposed one-year moratorium targets city-level zoning approvals for data center projects. A current zoning analysis application for a project at 1265 Hartrey Ave. is pending as city staff confirmed the facility requires a formal zoning amendment.
The players
Krissie Harris
She is the Evanston councilmember who initiated the moratorium proposal for data center development.
Reed Beidler
He is the property owner who submitted a zoning analysis application for a data center at 1265 Hartrey Ave.
Evanston City Council
This is the governing legislative body of Evanston that will decide whether to implement the proposed moratorium.
Illinois General Assembly
This state legislative body is tasked with considering broader statewide data center legislation during its veto sessions.
The details
City staff are currently evaluating the proposed data center project at 1265 Hartrey Ave., which requires a zoning amendment before moving forward. The moratorium would pause all similar approvals while officials examine how these facilities affect local power grids and water resources.
Timeline
September 2026: Property owner submitted a zoning analysis application.
October 1, 2026: City staff awaited additional information from the owner.
October 12, 2026: The Referrals Committee will consider the proposal.
November 17-19, 2026: Illinois General Assembly holds a veto session.
December 1-3, 2026: Illinois General Assembly holds a second veto session.
The Tech Race
The moratorium attempt in Evanston follows a failed effort to pass statewide data center regulations in the Illinois General Assembly during the 2026 spring session. The move highlights an intensifying arms race between municipal planning departments and the infrastructure demands of massive digital storage facilities.
Residents may see a temporary halt in new large-scale development projects near the 1265 Hartrey Ave. site while the city conducts its power and water impact study. This pause is intended to prevent utility strain that could otherwise affect local power availability and water service quality.
The takeaway
Local governments are increasingly asserting authority over land use to protect existing utility infrastructure from the high demands of data centers. Citizens should track upcoming council meetings to understand how these zoning changes could influence future industrial development in their neighborhoods.
What happens next
The Referrals Committee is scheduled to hear the moratorium proposal on October 12, 2026. Additionally, the Illinois General Assembly will conduct veto sessions in late 2026 where new statewide data center legislation may be introduced.
Further reading
For more information on the infrastructure requirements of these facilities, visit the Data Centers section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston RoundTable.
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