Carbondale City Council weighs data center moratorium; zoning board to consider solar variance

Carbondale’s City Council on June 23 considered a one-year moratorium on new data center developments, among a slate of other items. The meeting also included a public hearing on renaming a street and updates to animal control regulations. Minutes from the meeting have not yet been published, so no votes have been reported. Separately, the Planning Commission held a public hearing June 24 on rezoning a property for a daycare. Looking ahead, the Zoning Board of Appeals will take up a solar-energy setback variance request on July 8.

City Council June 23: Moratorium, street renaming, animal control

The council’s agenda included a public hearing and vote on a resolution to honorarily name West Cherry Street as Buckminster Fuller Way. A separate resolution would initiate a one-year moratorium on new data center development. Council members also considered an ordinance amending the city’s animal control code regarding humane treatment and impounding procedures.

The consent agenda covered approval of $2,014,305.80 in warrants and a $59,693.08 purchase for a pump assembly. An agreement with Southern Illinois University for fire protection services was also on the agenda. Because minutes are not yet available, outcomes of these items are not known.

Planning Commission June 24: Rezoning and daycare at 1108 West Willow Street

The Planning Commission held public hearings on two related requests for the property at 1108 West Willow Street. The first, rezoning the parcel from low-density residential (R-1) to neighborhood business (NB). The second, a special use permit to allow a daycare center in the NB district. The board also approved minutes from its March 25, 2026 meeting.

Coming up: July 8 Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet at 5:30 p.m. July 8 for a public hearing on a variance request. Applicant Shariff Shakir seeks a variance from Section 15.3.4.6.B.2 of the zoning code, which governs setbacks for ground-mount solar energy systems on high-density residential (R-3) property. The board will also consider approval of minutes and hear citizen comments.

Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.