Amid fierce resistance, the Metropolitan Development Commission in Indianapolis has advanced a special zoning district for data centers. The decision was made during a heated public meeting on Wednesday, with constituents packing the City-County Building Public Assembly Room to express their concerns.
Data Center Opposition
Despite many asking for a moratorium on data centers, the commissioners voted 5-3 in favor of the zoning proposal. The special zoning district is said to contain guardrails and require data centers to submit plans for noise mitigation and water and electricity use. Facilities must be no louder than 55 decibels and are required to submit a decommissioning plan in the event the data center closes down.
Other measures include the primary building of the data center being at least 400 feet from the property line. All mechanical equipment must also be hidden from view from adjoining properties and the public right-of-way. The Indianapolis City-County Council plans to introduce the measure during Monday’s meeting, with public comment and discussion scheduled for the July 13 meeting of the Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee.
Original reporting: 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis) — read the source article.
