Whitley County Community Members Voice Concerns Over Data Centers
Hundreds of residents from Whitley and Allen Counties attended a Whitley County Plan Commission meeting to voice strong concerns about data centers, advocating for an outright ban or a one-year moratorium. Key issues raised included environmental impact, noise pollution, electricity usage, water consumption, and land use, with residents citing negative experiences from neighboring areas. The commission is seeking community input to develop codes and standards for potential future data center developments.
Community members from Whitley and Allen Counties gathered at a Whitley County Plan Commission meeting in Columbia City, Indiana, on Wednesday, June 24, to express significant concerns regarding data center development. Attendees called for an outright ban on data centers or a one-year moratorium to allow for comprehensive code development.
County Planner Brent Bockelman stated the meeting was a listening session to gather community input for establishing data center codes, noting that Whitley County currently lacks specific zoning regulations for such facilities. Scott Wagner, Whitley County Health Department director and environmental health specialist, presented recommendations including prohibiting the use of ground or surface water for cooling, suggesting geothermal wells instead. Residents also raised issues concerning noise pollution, significant power consumption, land use (particularly agricultural land), and the environmental impact of diesel generators and potential groundwater drilling.
Jon Myers, a member of the Whitley County redevelopment commission, expressed his opinion that a hyperscale data center in the county would not be a good idea. Residents from Fort Wayne and New Haven (in neighboring Allen County) shared experiences with a massive hyperscale AI data center in their area, alleging increased electricity rates, broken promises, and diminishing quality of life due to pollution and groundwater issues. The commission members, including Jack Green, Joe Wolf, and Tim Longenbaugh, thanked the public for their input, acknowledging the difficult decisions ahead in drafting new codes. Another public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, to discuss code drafting and revisions.