Fort Wayne City Council takes some time to work on data center task force, moratorium

The Fort Wayne City Council is delaying a vote for three weeks on a proposed one-year moratorium on data center actions and the formation of a nine-member Community Infrastructure and Environmental Review Commission. This decision follows over a year of controversy and resident concerns regarding the environmental impacts of Google's $2 billion data center, officially announced in spring 2024 and operational since December. Councilwoman Rohli Booker, D-6th, introduced the legislation for a pause on new data center developments and to establish a commission to scrutinize large-scale projects, which was supported by Councilman Russ Jehl, R-2nd, who withdrew his own similar proposal.

TheThe proposed moratorium would specifically affect the council's ability to approve matters like rezoning, annexations, and tax abatements related to data centers, but would not impact Google's existing facility. Council members are divided on the measure, with some, like Councilman Nathan Hartman, R-3rd, preferring the Department of Planning Services to handle zoning without a council-imposed moratorium. An amendment by Councilwoman Michelle Chambers, D-at large, to reduce the moratorium to 180 days was rejected. Booker successfully amended the resolutions to narrow the definition of data centers covered, distinguishing large facilities like Google's from smaller server expansions by businesses or institutions.

The proposed commission, comprising experts in utilities, natural resources, public health, and economic development, would review large projects based on their scale, resource consumption, and potential cumulative impacts, reporting its findings annually to the council. Council members Paul Ensley, R-1st, and Tom Freistroffer, R-at large, expressed concerns over the initial loose definition of a data center, which Booker assured would be solidified by the commission. Jonathan Leist, director of community development, reported Google's compliance with its tax abatement agreement regarding jobs, wages, and investments, noting it is a top 10 taxpayer for the county. However, Councilman Jehl highlighted that only $1 million of anticipated tax increment financing revenue has been used for southeast development, contradicting initial promises to the community. The council is scheduled to revisit the legislation on October 13th.