Project Shirley
Community Information, Public Updates, and Questions for the Lake County Review Process
This website is a public information resource for residents, officials, and other stakeholders following the proposed Project Shirley data center in unincorporated Lake County. It explains the approval process, shares key dates and updates, addresses common questions, and provides a place to submit questions and comments.
Projects of this scale raise legitimate questions about land use, electric infrastructure, water, environmental protections, agricultural character, property values, traffic, and noise. This website was created to answer those questions directly, publicly, and clearly. It should serve as a clearinghouse for project details, FAQs, contact information, and updates. It should also function as a place where local residents can submit questions ahead of meetings and hearings.
Our approach is rooted in community engagement and radical transparency. We want residents to understand what is being proposed, what standards apply, what approvals are required, and where/how the public can participate.”
Latest Updates & Key Dates
We will use this website to share meeting dates, hearing information, public updates, and answers to recurring questions as the review process continues.
Note: This website is a supplemental public information resource and does not replace official County notices, agendas, hearings, or decisions.
Current Status
Project Shirley is at the beginning of a multi-step public review process. A rezoning vote does not by itself approve a data center. If rezoning is approved, the project would still require a separate Special Exception process and later Site Plan approval before any building permits could be issued.
Current Status: Rezoning Stage
Preliminary Site Plan
Below is the current preliminary site plan for Project Shirley. This plan is conceptual and subject to change. It is being shared now in the interest of community engagement and radical transparency, but it is not final and should not be understood as the final approved layout, building design, access plan, landscaping plan, or engineering plan. As the public review process continues, the site plan may change based on engineering, agency input, County review, public feedback, and the requirements of the Special Exception and Site Plan approval processes.
Approval Process at a Glance
Rezoning:
Should the property be rezoned? This stage addresses land use, surrounding conditions, the Comprehensive Plan, and whether M-1 is appropriate here.
Special Exception:
Even if rezoned, a data center still cannot be built without a Special Exception. This is a newly implemented and highly rigorous process requiring studies, technical standards, and project-specific impacts.
Site Plan Approval:
Later stage review of the actual layout, engineering, access, and site design before permits.
County Standards and Safeguards
This is not a “trust us” process. As part of the Special Exception process, the County requires strict technical review and enforceable standards.
Power and utility verification
Water management review
Environmental impact review
Visual screening plan
Noise study and mitigation plan
Traffic/access planning
Emergency response planning
Setbacks and other enforceable site standards
Have a Question You
Want Addressed Publicly?
We welcome questions from residents, landowners, officials, and other stakeholders. Only questions submitted through this website will be addressed at the April 16 town hall. Additionally your feedback will help shape future website updates, frequently asked questions, and discussion topics.
Submit a QuestionNote: We may not be able to respond individually to every submission, but recurring themes will help guide future public information and discussion.
This website is intended as a public information resource. It does not replace official Lake County notices, hearings, agendas, staff reports, or decisions. All approvals remain subject to the County’s formal public review process.