Decatur Township data center proposal approved by Indy development commission

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission has granted final approval for a significant data center campus to be built in Decatur Township. This decision, made at a recent meeting, allows Sabey Data Center Properties LLC to move forward with plans to construct two facilities, totaling approximately 900,000 square feet, on a 130-acre site near IN-67 and Camby Rd. The approval comes after months of intense debate, during which residents expressed concerns about environmental impacts, potential effects on land values, economic implications, and health-related issues. In response to public feedback, Sabey Data Center Properties has pledged to implement several mitigation measures. These commitments include fully funding any necessary infrastructure upgrades to the electrical grid, utilizing a closed-loop water system to minimize water usage, and explicitly prohibiting cryptocurrency mining operations on the site. However, these assurances have not entirely satisfied local residents, with some stating that the proposed commitments do not go far enough to address their concerns. Opponents continue to voice apprehension regarding potential noise pollution from the facilities and broader environmental impacts. As the property is already zoned as I-2 (light industrial), the proposal bypassed a city-county council rezoning vote, with the development commission holding the authority for the final decision on commitment modifications.