Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
Karis Critical Data Center has received pushback from some residents over noise, environmental and other concerns. NAPERVILLE, IL — The Naperville planning and zoning commission will continue a public hearing Tuesday for Karis Critical Data Centers, which seeks to build a data center at 1960 Lucent Ln. on the former AT&T Indian Hill Bell Labs campus. The proposed development has received pushback from residents over noise pollution, environmental pollution and other concerns. Petitioners are seeking approval for a conditional use permit and zoning variation to build the roughly 211,000 square foot data center, per city documents. This is a reduction of the initial plan, which called for two data centers built in separate phases of construction. The conditional use permit would reduce the building's required parking spaces from 211 to 60. And the zoning variance would grant an exception to the city's maximum heights for equipment yard screens and security fencing. The bulk of the data center space would house interconnected computer systems, per the petition submitted Sept. 26. The building would also comprise a 30,000 square foot office space for critical support personnel. The data center building would incorporate cooling infrastructure on its rooftop and would provide equipment yard screening from Naperville and Warrenville Roads. On a website dedicated to the proposal, Karis writes that "[r]edeveloping the vacant land creates economic opportunity, unlocks millions in ongoing tax revenue for local classrooms and government services, and provides momentum in an area the city has targeted for rejuvenation and job growth." During a Sept. 3 planning and zoning meeting and public hearing, several residents spoke in opposition of the proposed data center. Danada Woods residents Bill Nestel said the data center "is the wrong fit for Naperville." He said the city's electric grid would not be able to support the data center's electrical impact. "Residents remain at risk if supply is stretched," Nestel said. He added, "This is the wrong use in the wrong place, carrying long-term risks for Naperville families." Victoria May said she was concerned about electric grid impact and noise pollution as well. She also mentioned that the center's proposed diesel backup generators "pose a lot of health risks, especially because they release particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, which all cause respiratory problems and other health issues." May added, "This is a profit-driven proposal. These companies do not have to live with the long-term consequences that we will live with." Sarah Baugh echoed other speakers' concerns about energy, noise and environmental issues with the proposed data center, saying they do not seem to align with the zoning board's conditional use requirements. "The sites that are located nearby are a meditation center, an inclusive sensory playground and the forest preserve and equestrian center," Baugh added. "How will industrial-scale noise, visual impacts and potential environmental risks affect the neighboring structures?" "It is irrefutable that these impacts will reduce enjoyment of the area, affect property values and deter prospective residents." That public hearing was continued to Oct. 15. During that meeting, more than a dozen residents continued to express opposition to the development proposal. As of Nov. 4, an online petition had more than 2,800 signatures of residents opposing the data center. The petition's statement reads, in part, "We strongly believe that no amount of “conditions” can fully mitigate these risks. Once built, the impacts of a single 211,000-square-foot data center will be permanent and irreversible. We urge the City of Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission to deny [the proposed development] in its entirety to protect the health, safety, and quality of life of its residents." The Nov. 5 planning and zoning meeting will convene at 7 p.m. in the Naperville City Council Chambers at 400 S. Eagle St.
