The Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission voted 8-1 in favor of a controversial data center proposal Wednesday evening, marking the fourth and final commission meeting on the topic.
“This has been long, it’s been unlike any case we’ve ever worked through,” Commissioner Whitney Robbins said.
Developer Karis Critical is proposing one 211,000 square-foot, 36-megawatt data center to be built on the 40 acres of land at the former Alcatel-Lucent site at 1960 Lucent Lane, located off the Interstate 88 (I-88) corridor. The request is scaled back from the initial proposal, which called for two data center buildings that would total 72 megawatts.
The area Karis is looking to build their data center is zoned for office, research and light industry use, a category that includes data centers. The area is also surrounded by multiple housing subdivisions. Naperville residents, particularly those in nearby Naper Commons, Danada Woods and Fairmeadow neighborhoods, have been pushing back against the project ever since the proposal came to light.
A petition circulating online in opposition to the data center has gathered thousands of signatures. Similar to previous meetings, Wednesday’s Planning and Zoning Commission once again saw a packed room and tense moments. Some attendees brought their children to the meeting while others held up signs stating “Put kids over tax money!” and “No data centers near neighborhoods!”
This artist’s rendering shows what the Karis Critical data center campus could look like if built at 1960 Lucent Lane in Naperville. It’s proposed for the former Alcatel-Lucent property off of the Interstate 88 research and technology corridor. (Karis Critical)
“We opened (the case) in August, continued through September, October and November,” Commissioner Robbins said. “This wasn’t to rush or delay anything. It was very intentional. I wanted to hear from all of you. I wanted to hear every side of it.”
In their vote on the topic, commissioners acknowledged how emotional the process has been, especially for those who would live near the proposed site.
But for most commissioners, after reviewing everything from noise levels to the 24 back-up diesel generators that would be included with the data center, many felt that the project fell within appropriate use of the land off I-88, which historically has been used for business purposes in Naperville.
“We also must acknowledge the fundamental truth of the I-88 corridor: air quality and noise are not blank slates here,” Robbins said. “This area is already home to unavoidable environmental factors that contribute to the regional air shed. We have high volume traffic on I-88, constant source of tailpipe emissions and particulate matter.”
Other commissioners added that the economic benefits of the data center will bring a significant investment to the I-88 corridor. Karis’ proposed data center for Naperville is projected to generate anywhere between $1.6 million to $2.2 million in annual new local tax revenue, which could make it one of the city’s largest tax generators, according to Russ Whitaker, an attorney representing Karis.
Naper Commons resident Hashem Said holds up a sign in opposition to a proposed data center at the Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. (Carolyn Stein/Naperville Sun)
Commissioner Courtney Naumes was the sole ‘no’ vote against the data center. While Naumes acknowledged Karis’ efforts – including their stewardship pledge – to address resident concerns, Naumes ultimately felt that the pledge did not do enough to mitigate resource consumption or noise and health-related impacts.
“The general area is comprised of neighborhoods, parks, forest preserves, low intensity commercial use,” Naumes said. “I believe it makes the proposed use out of character and creates potential adverse effects on the nearby properties.”
Other commissioners, however, felt that Karis had done enough to demonstrate that they can responsibly integrate the data center with the surrounding community in a way that minimizes harm.
“I know that change can feel uncertain and uncomfortable, but I genuinely believe that with the safeguards and conditions we have required, this project can co-exist responsibly within our community,” Commissioner Meghna Bansal said.
Concerns over noise levels and emissions from the back-up generators took center stage at the Nov. 5 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, where dozens of people argued that emissions from the diesel generators and noise from the data center would lead to negative health outcomes for nearby residents.
Naperville residents hold up signs during the Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. From left to right: Ken Schmidt, Julian Szucko, Joanne Szucko and Robin Schmidt. (Carolyn Stein/Naperville Sun)
Wednesday’s meeting saw similar discussions. Air quality permitting expert Brian Goldman testified on behalf of Karis, stating that the Tier 4 back-up generators Karis is proposing to install “far exceed” current regulatory requirements. Goldman said the generators are expected to run about 10 hours a year for testing, with additional permitted hours included only as a buffer for emergencies.
Actual emissions, he said, would remain well under legal limits and significantly lower than older equipment operating elsewhere in Naperville, including at Edward Hospital and the adjacent Nokia building.
Goldman’s testimony, it appears, did little to persuade residents, who questioned his findings at the meeting.
“Although Tier 4 diesel technology represents an improvement over older diesel engines, the assertion that a bank of 24 Tier 4 generators is safe simply because it meets EPA and Illinois standards is incomplete and misleading,” Naper Commons resident Asim Babar, a cardiologist, said.
The proposal will head to the City Council for final approval.
cstein@chicagotribune.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/20/planning-and-zoning-commission-data-center-vote/
