Owen County approves one-year moratorium on data centers
Owen County Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data center development. This proactive measure aims to establish permanent regulations before any data center proposals emerge in the county. The moratorium also specifically prevents property from being rezoned for future data center use during its term.
Owen County Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development during their Tuesday evening meeting. This temporary block will allow the county to develop permanent regulations for data centers, a move Commissioner Norman Warner stated is intended to "get out in front of this" before any companies propose projects within the county.
Heather Huntington, Owen County Building and Planning Administrator, advocated for the moratorium to give the county time to research and establish a "well-worded regulatory standard." She specifically noted that the moratorium includes language to prevent property from being rezoned for data center development during the pause, addressing a loophole observed in other counties' moratoriums.
The Owen County Plan Commission is already developing a draft 13-page regulatory ordinance, which may include provisions like limits on development size. Officials emphasized that work on these regulations will commence immediately, with recommendations to be made to the county commissioners for final approval. The decision drew applause from attendees, and it was mentioned that Spencer had approved a similar moratorium, with Gosport also considering one.