Indy council advances pause on data centers, sends to commission for final approval
The Indianapolis City-County Council advanced a proposal for a moratorium on new data center approvals in Marion County through 2027, sending it to the Metropolitan Development Commission for final approval. The move follows months of community opposition over data centers' water, energy, and noise impacts, though three previously approved projects are exempt. The council also worked on defining 'data center' in the county's zoning code.
The Indianapolis City-County Council voted 23-1 to advance a proposal that would pause new data center approvals in Marion County until December 31, 2027. This decision, which now moves to the Metropolitan Development Commission for final approval as early as August 19, comes after sustained community protests regarding the environmental impacts, particularly water, energy consumption, and noise, associated with these facilities.
The proposed moratorium, known as Proposal 238, is an amendment to a broader zoning ordinance the city is developing to regulate data centers. It aims to provide time for a committee of experts and residents to study various impacts, including campus size, building height, sound levels, and environmental concerns. The council also added an amendment to define 'data center' within the county's zoning code.
However, the pause would not affect three already-approved data center projects that have generated significant opposition: DC Blox in Warren Township, Metrobloks in Martindale-Brightwood, and Sabey in Decatur Township. Councilor Michael-Paul Hart was the lone dissenting vote against the moratorium, citing support for the DC Blox project in his district. Councilor Jesse Brown's attempt to remove members of the Metropolitan Development Commission, citing their approval of data centers despite community concerns, was rejected by the council.
Marion County is not alone, as at least 17 Indiana counties have enacted temporary moratoriums, and two have banned data centers altogether, highlighting a statewide trend of community pushback against these developments.