Suburban Residents Struggle with Noise and Other Impacts from Nearby Data Centers

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Residents in the suburban city of Aurora, Illinois are increasingly frustrated by the impacts of the growing number of data centers being built in their community. Locals like John Mars, who lives near a cluster of data centers, complain about the constant noise that sounds like "rushing traffic" from the facilities. Other residents have raised concerns about rising power bills, the strain on the water supply, and the excess heat generated by the computer servers. The city of Aurora has implemented a temporary moratorium on new data center construction as it works to develop new zoning rules to address these issues, but many residents hope the new regulations will come soon.

Why it matters

The rapid growth of data centers in suburban communities like Aurora highlights the tensions that can arise as these large, energy-intensive facilities are built near residential areas. While data centers provide economic benefits, their impacts on local infrastructure, the environment, and quality of life for nearby residents must be carefully managed.

The details

Aurora has become a hub for data center development, with at least four major facilities already built and more in the planning stages. Residents near the data centers, like John Mars, say they can clearly see and hear the massive facilities from their backyards, describing a "constant noise" that sounds like "rushing traffic." Other locals have complained about rising power bills, concerns over the water supply, and the excess heat generated by the computer servers inside the data centers. In response, the city of Aurora has implemented a temporary 180-day moratorium on new warehouse and data center construction as it works to develop new zoning rules to address these issues. At a recent public meeting, at least one former city council member voiced praise for the proposed data center ordinance, indicating the city is working to balance the needs of the data center industry with the concerns of residents.

• In 2021, John Mars moved into his home in Aurora, which is located across from a power company right-of-way where a cluster of data centers have since been built.
• In April 2025, CyrusOne, the data center nearest to Mars' home, experienced an equipment-related event that prompted the company to initiate a multi-phase sound mitigation project at the Aurora facility.
• The 180-day moratorium on new warehouse and data center construction in Aurora is set to expire at the end of March 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.