Last week, Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson briefed residents on a proposed development of a three-building data center campus on the property that is currently home to the WGN Radio transmission tower off of Rohlwing Road in unincorporated Cook County.
Mayor Johnson invited the residents of approximately 125 neighboring properties in the immediate area to a neighborhood meeting to brief them on the property owner’s plans and the steps the Village is taking to ensure resident concerns are heard and addressed.
Nexstar Media Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc., is the parent company of WGN Radio, and they have plans to relocate the transmission tower to the north end of the 100-acre property and develop approximately 35 acres on the south end. In order for Nexstar to access critical infrastructure and Village services, it is currently working with Village officials on a plan to petition for annexation of the property into Elk Grove.
“We know that this development will have an impact on our residents. That’s why we called this special neighborhood meeting, to lay out the facts, answer residents’ questions and let them know we’re working on their behalf to ensure that the developers address their concerns,” said Mayor Johnson. “We wanted to get involved early so we can guide the development in a way that protects our residents.”
The Village has been working with the developer as part of the preliminary design phase to mitigate impact on the nearby residential community. For example, the Village worked with Nexstar to maximize a setback between the buildings and residential properties. The setbacks will range from 178 to 338 feet. Also, a 9’ tall berm with an 8’ screen wall and landscaping will surround the development and act as a buffer between the data centers and the neighborhood. Additionally, the Village is requiring a 25’ grassy area between the residential property lines and the start of the berm.
Currently 11 data centers companies have planned or operational data center facilities in Elk Grove Village, which has become a regional hub for the facilities that “run clean.” Data centers are typically low density, low traffic facilities that have a minimal impact on surrounding areas.
The project would only proceed after the developer has gone through the Village’s approval and permitting process and the land is annexed into Elk Grove Village. As part of this process, the Village will hold a public hearing before the Plan Commission, where the public can hear directly from the developer about the project and provide input. These processes are expected to take several months.
