Data centers have been the latest discussion point for DeWitt County's Land Use Committee. 

At the Monday Night Land Use Committee Meeting, Chair Buck Carter presented his committee members with a draft for a 2-year moratorium on data centers, to allow them to do more research and decide if they are a good fit in DeWitt County. This draft was largely based on the County's moratorium on Wind from a few years ago. 

Joe Witte recommended that Carter run the draft by State's Attorney Dan Markwell, with the intention of improving it and making sure that there are no legal red flags. A moratorium would also have to go through the Regional Planning Commission, they have already discussed the need for it. 

Concerns over water and power usage were brought up. Chris Hammer referenced what he has heard from his constituents about their disapproval of the data centers. Pat Ryan was concerned with loopholes in the County's ordinances that could allow developers to apply before a moratorium is instated. 

Zoning Administrator Liz Weikle reassured the Committee that, as long as there are no ordinances in place, a text amendment would have to be proposed to allow data center development. This could be thought of as a safety net, should a moratorium not be approved in time.

The Committee decided that the draft would be sent to Markwell and heard at this month's Full Board meeting.