Data center rules proposal clears initial vote in Indianapolis | WFYI News Now
A special zoning ordinance for data centers in Marion County, Indiana, passed its initial vote at the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission, which recommended the rules. The proposed regulations aim to control where data centers can be built, their proximity to homes, and noise levels. The decision, made despite residents' requests for more time to develop the plan, means the ordinance now moves to the full City County Council for a final vote.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission recently advanced a special zoning ordinance for data centers, voting 5 to 3 to recommend the proposed rules. This decision came despite calls from many residents, including Heather Street of Irvington, for the commission to spend more time developing the plan. Street expressed disappointment, noting that interactions with the government often do not go as expected.
The ordinance is designed to regulate the placement of data centers within Marion County, specifying how close they can be to residential areas and setting limits on noise generation. Following the commission's recommendation, the proposed rules will now proceed to the full Indianapolis City County Council for a final vote. No specific data center projects or companies were mentioned in relation to this ordinance, which focuses on broader regulatory frameworks.