Decatur Township residents sue to block $4B data center

Decatur Township residents have initiated legal action in Marion County Superior Court, seeking to overturn the Metropolitan Development Commission's approval of a proposed $4 billion data center by Seattle-based Sabey Corp. The residents aim to block construction of the 130-acre campus, planned near Kentucky Avenue and Camby Road on the southwest side of Marion County. Approved in March, the project has faced months of opposition from residents concerned about potential noise, high energy and water consumption, a lack of permanent job creation, and negative impacts on home property values. The lawsuit argues that the commission violated state law by approving variances that do not meet legal standards, effectively constituting a "disguised rezoning" that circumvented a required vote by the full Indianapolis City-County Council. According to residents, Sabey filed for a variance of use instead of a full rezoning, a strategy that bypasses council oversight. Pat Andrews, chair of the Decatur Township Civic Council’s Land Use Committee, criticized this approach, warning it could set a precedent for other developers, citing another variance request by Georgia-based DC Blox for a $2 billion data center on Indianapolis’ east side. Andrews has also called for Mayor Joe Hogsett and leadership to establish a specific zoning classification for data centers. Sabey Corp. representatives stated during public hearings that they collaborated with the community, making commitments such as covering all energy-related operational costs and contributing to road improvements. The company secured support from various groups, including Central Indiana Building Trades, Central Midwest Carpenters Unions, the Indy Chamber, and utility provider AES Indiana.