A Florida-based developer has withdrawn a rezoning request for a 186-acre parcel of farmland known as Plum Farms in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, following significant community opposition. The move comes just days before the Hoffman Estates Village Board was scheduled to vote on the proposal that would have paved the way for a large data center campus.

Karis Critical, the company behind the project, announced the withdrawal on June 28, citing ongoing discussions with village officials and residents. “We heard the feedback clearly, including the call for a more specific plan before any rezoning,” said Karis spokesperson Patrick Skarr. The developer indicated it intends to revisit the project in the future with a more detailed proposal for public review.

The announcement followed weeks of vocal resistance from residents of Hoffman Estates and nearby suburbs, including South Barrington and Barrington Hills. Hundreds of community members attended planning meetings, where many expressed concerns about the data center’s potential demand on local power and water supplies, noise pollution, and possible increases in utility costs. Residents also mounted petitions and filed public records requests to gain greater transparency about the project.

John Altstadt, a South Barrington resident who helped organize opposition efforts, described the withdrawal as a “win for the whole community,” pointing to health concerns as central to residents’ objections. The initial community backlash intensified after documents obtained through public records requests revealed Karis’s plans to build and power a data center using natural gas by 2028, with a transmission service agreement secured with utility provider ComEd.

Hoffman Estates village officials emphasized that the rezoning request was a preliminary step and not an official data center proposal. Village Manager Eric Palm noted that any detailed plans would require additional public approval. He also highlighted ongoing data center development in the village, citing a major project by Dallas-based Compass Datacenters at the former Sears headquarters in nearby Hoffman Estates, a development that has faced little public opposition.

The Plum Farms controversy reflects a wider debate across the Chicago metropolitan area, where data center development has accelerated rapidly in recent years due to growing demand for cloud computing and streaming services. While some municipalities, like Joliet, have approved large-scale data center projects citing economic benefits and job creation, others have faced pushback from residents concerned about environmental and community impacts.

Environmental law experts point to a growing trend of community resistance as data centers increase in size and energy consumption, often straining local utilities and necessitating the use of additional energy sources such as natural gas or diesel generators. ComEd estimates that about 100 large-demand projects, mostly data centers, are currently in planning stages in northern Illinois, potentially consuming more power than the region’s current peak demand.

In response to community concerns, Illinois lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at preserving local control over data center siting, including restrictions on proximity to residential areas and new efficiency standards. State Senator Darby Hills, whose district includes Plum Farms, has championed efforts to strengthen municipal authority over data center development.

Community advocates in Hoffman Estates say they remain vigilant. “We’re all staying vigilant, and we’ll be ready when a new plan for the property comes along,” said Amanda Pollard, a Barrington Hills resident active in the opposition. As the demand for data centers continues to escalate, suburbs throughout Illinois grapple with balancing economic development and residents’ quality of life.