City-County Council to vote on temporary pause on new data centers

The Indianapolis City-County Council is slated to vote on a special resolution Monday that would implement a temporary moratorium on new data center approvals. Introduced by District 13 Councilor Jesse Brown, the resolution urges the Metropolitan Development Commission to pause all new data center approvals until May 7, 2027, or until more comprehensive zoning regulations can be enacted by the City-County Council. This action comes amidst a lack of specific zoning rules for data centers in the city, with officials currently drafting an ordinance that would address issues like noise limits and utility planning. The Department of Metropolitan Development has reported that four data center projects sought approval in the past year, with two in Martindale-Brightwood and Decatur Township receiving a green light, while plans for sites in Franklin and Pike townships were withdrawn. Councilor Brown highlighted the withdrawal of American Tower's project in Pike Township as an example for other developers to follow. Public sentiment is divided, with opponents expressing concerns about potential negative impacts on residents' health, the environment, and utility costs. Conversely, supporters emphasize the economic development benefits that data centers could bring to Indianapolis. The proposed comprehensive zoning ordinance is expected to be introduced to the City-County Council next month for a potential vote in July, setting the stage for future data center development in the city.