DeKalb Plan Commission Recommends 6-Month Moratorium On Data Centers

The DeKalb County Plan Commission has unanimously recommended a six-month moratorium on data centers and their accessory facilities. The decision, made by roll call vote on April 8, is now forwarded to the DeKalb County Commissioners for final consideration. The temporary halt is intended to give county officials sufficient time to study the growing interest in data center development and to draft specific regulations. According to Andrew Kruse, an attorney advising the commission, this prevents developers from submitting applications and being 'grandfathered in' before clear local rules are established. Under the proposed moratorium, new data centers would not be permitted for six months while the county gathers public input and develops an ordinance addressing critical issues such as facility size, energy consumption, and water usage. Officials indicated that the timeline could be extended if necessary, with a goal to have draft regulations prepared by early fall. Public comments during the hearing supported the commission's proactive approach. Local officials noted northeast Indiana's existing electrical infrastructure and water resources make the area attractive to data center developers, prompting the need for a cautious and regulated approach.