Lisle data center abandons plan to add more power

A data center in Lisle that drew the ire of village officials last month for doing construction work without a permit has backed off plans to expand its power base.

Lisle officials say Centersquare has dropped a proposal to add 19.5 megawatts of power — more than doubling its capacity — through a fuel cell installation at its existing facility, located at 4315 Western Ave.

The 15-megawatt facility, which has been operational since at least 2015, had sought village approval to install a 19.5-megawatt fuel cell on the exterior of the building.

But the company decided to drop the request after learning it needed a special-use permit.

“They were told that the fuel cell installation would require a special-use permit, and, due to the proximity to neighboring businesses and residents, staff could not support that special-use permit at this time,” said Mike Smetana, Lisle’s development services director.

According to Smetana, construction had not begun on the fuel cell installation project. However, the village is still trying to determine the scope of work that was done inside the building and whether Centersquare had permits for that work.

Neighboring residents alerted town officials last month to construction on the property. The village issued a stop-work order after realizing proper permits had not been secured for some of the work.

The village took legal action after Centersquare ignored the initial stop-work order.

In late February, a DuPage County judge issued a court order, which both sides agreed to, halting exterior work but allowing interior work with the proper permits. The order also allows a temporary chilling system, which was installed without permits, to remain in place.

Mayor Mary Jo Mullen expressed frustration that the company continued construction after the initial stop-work order was issued.

“We’re never going to stand for something like this,” she said. “We’re not going to allow people to do something that’s not permitted and against the rules, and we’re not going to let you off the hook.

“I have no stomach for allowing this kind of work to continue and allowing people to ask for forgiveness rather than permission,” Mullen added.

Some of the neighboring residents called Centersquare’s decision to scrap its fuel cell installation project a victory. They said construction at the facility has significantly decreased in recent weeks.

The village and Centersquare will return to court on March 27 for a status hearing.