City-County Council passes unanimous resolution calling for a pause on data center development in Indianapolis

The Indianapolis City-County Council unanimously approved Proposal No. 158, a resolution calling for a temporary moratorium on data center development in the city. Sponsored by Councilor Jesse Brown, the resolution urges the Metropolitan Development Commission to halt new rezoning petitions and 'Improvement Locations Permits' for data centers until May 7, 2027, or until a special use district zoning amendment is fully adopted. In response, the Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) is proposing new zoning regulations. These rules would formally define data centers in the city's code and establish a new special use district, SU-47, where such facilities would be permitted. According to DMD chief communications officer Auboni Hart, this move aims to standardize a process previously handled on a case-by-case basis. Developers would be required to undergo a rezoning process and public hearing, submitting detailed plans including noise studies, utility demand, and site design. The proposed ordinance includes a maximum noise limit of 65 decibels at the property line and mandates physical buffers. It also requires developers to demonstrate adequate access to power and water, addressing key community concerns. While these regulations would apply to future proposals, existing projects like Metrobloks' Martindale-Brightwood campus would likely fall within the new framework. However, critics like Citizens Action Coalition Program Director Ben Inskeep suggest the proposed regulations may not be stringent enough, arguing they appear to favor data center companies.