Vanderburgh APC passes Data Center ordinance with shorter permit pause
The Vanderburgh County Area Plan Commission (APC) has unanimously recommended a data center ordinance to the County Commission, which includes a permit pause through 2026 and establishes a data center study group. Residents expressed concerns about the length of the permit pause and potential industry influence on the study group. The County Commission is expected to hold a final vote on the ordinance around August 25th.
The Vanderburgh County Area Plan Commission (APC) voted unanimously to recommend a new data center ordinance to the County Commission. This ordinance includes a pause on data center permits through the end of 2026, a shorter duration than the previously proposed 180 days from the ordinance's signing. The measure also calls for the creation of a data center study group, with amendments removing limits on the number of members.
The proposed ordinance has drawn public scrutiny. Residents like John Sarad expressed concern about the potential for too many "industry insiders" on the study committee, advocating for more citizen representation. Another resident, Christopher Norrick, suggested a two-year permit pause to allow the committee more time for research and to provide a "buffer to our community if the AI bubble were to burst," a longer period than the APC's recommended pause through 2026.
Neighboring Posey and Warrick counties are also developing similar ordinances, though Warrick County's APC recently decided to conduct further study before proceeding. The Vanderburgh County Commission holds the final authority on the ordinance and is scheduled to vote on it around August 25th.