Jeffersonville approves 1-year data center moratorium

The Jeffersonville City Council in Indiana has enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center construction, providing city staff time to update the Uniformed Development Ordinance to better regulate these facilities. The decision, initially proposed as a six-month pause, was extended to a year during Monday's meeting following a motion to suspend rules and take a final vote. This action does not impact the River Ridge Commerce Center, where a Meta data center is nearing completion, as that area operates under a separate development authority.

Council Member Evan Stoner noted the moratorium allows for examination of how other municipalities across Indiana and the country are addressing data center influxes. Nearby New Albany also approved a one-year moratorium in July for similar zoning code updates, as current codes often lack specific provisions for data centers, limiting municipal control.

Residents expressed significant concerns during public comment, citing economic impacts, noise, light pollution, heavy traffic, and foundation damage from existing data center construction. Susan West advocated for data centers to be located at least a half-mile from residential areas, farms, schools, and state parks, and called for companies to provide their own electricity. Rachel Wurfel, residing near Meta's data center, described the neighborhood sacrifices for the corporation. Proposed zoning changes will proceed through the city’s plan commission and city council, with opportunities for public input at both stages.