Whitley County Planners Seek Public Input On Data Centers
Whitley County officials are initiating efforts to establish zoning regulations for data centers in anticipation of future development proposals. A public listening session is scheduled to gather community feedback on potential impacts including electricity, water, and environmental concerns, and to help shape the regulatory framework.
Whitley County officials in Indiana are proactively developing potential zoning regulations for data centers, even though no formal development proposals have yet been submitted. The Whitley County Plan Commission announced a public listening session for Wednesday, June 24, at 7 p.m. in the county Government Center in Columbia City. This meeting aims to gather public input on various considerations, including electricity and water demand, environmental impacts, and compatibility with existing land uses.
Planner Brent Bockelman is expected to provide an overview of data center development and discuss potential zoning considerations during the session, which will also be livestreamed. While no votes or legislative actions will be taken at this initial meeting, public feedback will guide the Plan Commission and County Commissioners as they draft future zoning standards. Residents unable to attend can submit written comments to the Columbia City/Whitley County Joint Planning and Building Department by Monday, July 6.