Huntington County residents voice concerns as officials develop data center ordinance
Huntington County, Indiana residents voiced concerns at a Plan Commission meeting regarding a proposed ordinance for future data center development. The commission is working with an attorney to draft rules for data center permitting and will hold another public meeting in August.
Huntington County, Indiana, residents convened at the county courthouse on Wednesday to offer public comment on a proposed ordinance regulating future data center development. The Huntington County Plan Commission, collaborating with attorney Tim Ochs of Ice Miller, is drafting the new rules. The majority of attendees expressed opposition to permitting new data center projects within the county.
The commission adopted a less restrictive option as a baseline for the ordinance, which would permit data centers in existing zoning districts. This choice, along with specific language in the attorney's recommendations allowing for future "tweaks and variations," raised concerns among residents like David MacDonald, who worried about potential changes to requirements such as closed-loop cooling systems.
County leaders anticipate the final ordinance will be completed by year-end. The Plan Commission has scheduled its next meeting on August 12, which will again include opportunities for public comment. Officials plan to continue gathering and reviewing feedback throughout the drafting process.