A 4-4 Tie Killed Fort Wayne's Data-Center Pause. The Rulebook Now Sits With Planning Staff.
The Fort Wayne City Council rejected a proposed one-year pause on new large-scale data center approvals in a 4-4 vote and also rejected a commission to study hyperscale developments. Planning staff are now expected to develop data center zoning standards, but no deadline has been set. The failed moratorium would not have affected Google's existing $2 billion campus.
The Fort Wayne City Council rejected a proposed 365-day moratorium on new hyperscale and large-scale data center approvals after a 4-4 tie, and voted 3-5 against creating a commission to study such developments. The proposals were introduced by Councilwoman Rohli Booker as the city considers standards for definitions, zoning districts, setbacks, noise and lighting, backup power, and water, wastewater, gas and electric demand.
The city's Department of Planning Services and Plan Commission will instead handle the standards effort, with no council-set deadline. The debate followed the approval and operation of Google's $2 billion data center campus near East Tillman and Adams Center roads. Supporters, including Booker and Councilman Geoff Paddock, argued that rules should be established before another major project is proposed, while opponents cited bureaucracy, unclear definitions and potential effects on investment, jobs, schools and hospitals. Water demand remains a concern, highlighted by a new water tower near the Google site.