Lake County Council Approves Zoning Changes for Eagle Creek Township Data Center
The Lake County Council approved two ordinances to facilitate a data center project and a battery storage facility in Eagle Creek Township, despite strong public opposition. Residents raised concerns about health, environmental impacts, and the approval process. The decision involved changing agricultural zoning to light industrial and conditional development for the respective facilities.
The Lake County Council in Indiana voted 6-0 to approve two ordinances that will advance a data center project, which includes a battery storage facility, in Eagle Creek Township. The decision was met with significant public opposition, with dozens of residents packing the meeting room, many wearing green in support of agricultural workers.
The council approved a zoning change from agricultural to light industrial for a Johnson Sunnybrook Farm LLC data center on approximately 162 acres. Separately, they approved a zoning change from agricultural to a conditional development zone for a Foundry Works Energy Storage LLC battery energy storage facility in the same area. The Lake County Plan Commission had previously voted in favor of both zoning changes but offered no recommendation to the council.
Opponents, including residents Patricia Corey and Tyler Bridges, expressed frustration that public comment was not heard before the vote and raised concerns about potential health issues, environmental impacts, and the strain on local wells. Council attorney Tom O’Donnell clarified that public hearings were held by the plan commission. The council also considered the county's comprehensive plan, which calls for the land to remain agricultural, though adjacent land had been rezoned for industrial use. Following the approvals, the projects will proceed to the plan commission for special exception applications, which will involve public hearings before the Lake County Board of Zoning Appeals.