The purpose of these regulations is to provide a uniform and comprehensive set of standards for the installation and location of a Data Center. The intent of these regulations is to protect the public health, safety, and community welfare without unduly restricting the development of a Data Center.

Data Centers are subject to the following requirements:

A. Height. Shall not exceed one hundred (100) feet including any roof-mounted equipment or antennas.

B. Setbacks.

1. Perimeter Setback: The front, side, and rear yard setbacks shall be a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) feet from the property lines which form the outside perimeter of a Data Center Project Area. 2. Residential Structure Setback: Data Centers of twenty-five (25) feet or less in height shall be setback seven hundred fifty (750) feet from the Data Center project property line to a residential structure. Data Centers greater than twenty-five (25) feet in height shall be setback from residential structures thirty (30) times the height of the Data Center. However, suppose the developer of the facility can obtain and record with the Sangamon County Recorder a written, signed, and notarized statement from the owner of the property containing said structure waiving this setback. In that case, the minimum setback from said structure shall be reduced to two hundred (200) feet.

C. Fencing. A fence of at least six (6) feet in height shall enclose and secure the Data Center and must comply with Chapter 17.44.

D. Screening. A landscaping screen shall be provided for any part of the Data Center that is visible to and located within five hundred (500) feet of an existing dwelling. The landscaping screen shall be located between the required fencing and the perimeter of the Data Center Project Area. The screening shall include a continuous line of native evergreen foliage, and/or native shrubs, and/or native trees, and/or any existing wooded area. The landscaping shall not be required if the Data Center is not visible to a dwelling by virtue of the existing topography as determined by the Sangamon County Zoning Administrator.

E. Lighting. If lighting is provided at the project, lighting shall be shielded and downcast such that the light does not spill onto the adjacent parcel.

F. Noise. Noise levels measured at the property line shall not exceed fifty (50) decibels when located adjacent to an existing residence or residential district. Noise levels shall be enforced by both the State of Illinois and Sangamon County.

G. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) may be considered an accessory use to the development. A BESS and a Data Center may be located on the same parcel without requiring a variance to allow multiple principal uses on a lot.

Data Centers shall conform to applicable industry standards, including those from the Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

All applicable county, state, and federal codes and regulations shall be followed.

The petition for a Conditional Permitted Use for a Data Center shall include:

A. A written summary of the project including:

1. A general description of the project, including its approximate capacity; 2. Number of structures; 3. Number of generators; and, 4. The system height.

B. The name(s), address(s), and phone number(s) of the property owner and/or Data Center operator.

C. A site plan showing the following:

1. Boundaries of the site. 2. Property lines. 3. Setback lines. 4. Existing or proposed easements. 5. Location of all existing structures with their uses identified. 6. All proposed structures including, but not limited to, the project Data Centers, the project substation, interconnection substation, Battery Energy Storage System (if applicable), and any ancillary equipment (if applicable). 7. On-site vehicular circulation. 8. Vehicular parking. 9. Sidewalks. 10. Fencing. 11. The location and size of sanitary sewers and water mains if public facilities or approved community facilities are available. If public facilities are not available, the location of on-site systems shall be shown. 12. Proposed site grading with elevations, including floodplain (if applicable). 13. Storm water drainage including retention/detention areas. 14. Fire hydrant locations (if applicable). 15. Landscaping screening plan (if applicable).

D. Letters from the serving utility companies indicating the availability and adequacy of utility services.

E. Approval from the County Engineer and respective Road District Commissioner authorizing the access to any public roadway. The County Engineer shall also provide approval for all on-site drainage and vehicular flow on the Data Center Project Area.

F. All other information contained in Chapters 17.58, 17.66, and 17.68 of this Zoning Ordinance as may be required to file a petition.

Before a building permit is issued, the following shall be submitted to the appropriate Sangamon County permitting office for review:

A. An updated site plan with all items previously required in the petition.

B. Emergency plan. The site and emergency plan shall be submitted to the local fire protection district(s) and/or department(s) whose jurisdiction is included in whole or in part within the Data Center Project Area. Any specialized training necessary will be provided at the operator’s expense.

C. All required studies, reports, certifications, and approvals demonstrating compliance with the provisions of this ordinance.

D. Results from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Ecological Compliance Assessment Tool (EcoCAT).

E. Results from the consultation with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office.

F. After an approved final inspection of all building permits, a certificate of compliance shall be issued.

A Certificate of Occupancy will be issued after all final inspections have been completed. A Certificate of Occupancy approval will be issued annually on the completion date and must include the following:

A. A copy of the active insurance policy and expiration date.

B. The name(s), address(s), and phone number(s) of the property owner and/or Data Center operator.

C. Any alterations to the site.

D. Annual fee $500.