The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
City of Delavan
Neutral Data Center Policies
Delavan allows data centers by right in a designated district, making approval more predictable, but requires 500 feet from residentially zoned property and utility-capacity review.
current law · City of DelavanCreates the Manufacturing Data Center (MDC) District and establishes data centers as a permitted-by-right land use for enclosed facilities containing servers and related systems, with a focus on large- and small-scale facilities and industrial-area redevelopment.City of Delavan Ordinance No. RC-531 (2026)
What this means
The measure creates a zoning district where data centers are allowed by right, making approval more predictable. But it applies only in that district and adds siting and operating conditions, including a 500-foot distance from residentially zoned property and utility-capacity review, so the overall benefit is modest (permitted by right; 500 feet from residentially zoned property).
People behind it
- Matt Bieser
Moved the motion to approve the proposed zoning text amendment creating the data center land use and Manufacturing Data Center zoning district.
- Megan Armstrong-Garcia
Seconded the motion to approve the proposed zoning text amendment creating the data center land use and Manufacturing Data Center zoning district.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements11
Data center development in the MDC district may not take direct access from a local residential street or residential collector street. No development within this district shall take direct access.
Except for loading and unloading, activities must take place entirely inside a building; public services and utilities are excepted as provided in the ordinance. All activities, except loading and unloading.
The developer must submit utility plans and operational capacity needs for water, electricity, fiber, and cooling systems for review by the Director of Public Works. Utility plans and operational capacity needs.
The Zoning Administrator or Plan Commission may require a noise, traffic, utility, or similar impact study. A noise, traffic, utility, or similar impact study may be required.
A facility must have a bufferyard with minimum opacity of 1.0 along property borders adjoining property not zoned MDC. Minimum opacity of 1.0.
Buildings must be at least 500 feet from residentially zoned property. A minimum of 500 feet.
Parking must provide one space per employee on the largest work shift. One space per employee on the largest work shift.
An on-site parking lot is listed as an accessory use requiring special-use approval. On-Site Parking Lot.
The MDC district requires a minimum lot area of 40,000 square feet, a minimum landscape surface ratio of 0.300, and maximum floor-area ratios of 0.850 for one-story buildings and 1.000 for buildings of two or more stories. Minimum Lot Area (MLA): 40,000 sf.
Nonresidential development must meet landscaping-point requirements: 40 points per 100 linear feet of building foundation, 60 per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, 100 per 100 linear feet of street frontage, and 80 per 10,000 square feet of paved area or 20 stalls. 40 landscaping points per 100 linear ft..
The district applies the MH zoning district's bulk, performance, and signage standards. Apply MH zoning district standards.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions4
Data centers are permitted by right in the Manufacturing Data Center (MDC) district, without a special-use or conditional-use approval for the data-center use itself.
The district allows nonresidential buildings of at least 40,000 square feet of lot area, with maximum floor-area ratios of 0.85 for one-story buildings and 1.0 for buildings of two or more stories.
Company cafeterias and lawn care are permitted by right as accessory uses. On-site parking, drainage structures, and exterior communication devices are allowed as accessory special uses.
The district lists offices as a use permitted by right, allowing office use alongside data-center development.
Sources
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