East Indianapolis neighbors appeal decision on data center

Neighbors in Indianapolis's Irvington community are actively opposing a proposed data center development by DC Blox, despite the company having received a use variance permit from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC). The community group, East Side Community Action, has retained lawyer Scott Federoff to appeal the MDC's decision. Federoff argues that the MDC's approval process in July failed to meet state requirements for a use variance permit, suggesting that such projects should undergo a legislative process, like a zoning ordinance amendment, rather than seeking a variance.

Federoff also raised concerns that DC Blox's commitments to community investment, while discussed extensively, are not legally binding under the current approval and do not satisfy the use variance criteria. He noted that one zoning board member admitted voting yes based on these non-binding commitments, which Federoff deems a disqualifying reason under the law. Federoff plans to file the appeal before the 30-day deadline.

In a separate but related development, the Indianapolis City-County Council is scheduled to vote on a citywide data center moratorium. However, this potential moratorium would not retroactively impact the DC Blox project, as it originated before the moratorium proposal. DC Blox declined to provide updates or information regarding the ongoing situation when contacted by 13 News.