Indianapolis development officials are asking that a key vote on data center zoning regulations be pushed back a month to allow them additional time to review public feedback and possibly make adjustments to a proposal that environmentalists have decried as too weak.
A proposed ordinance outlining restrictions and rules on data centers in the Indianapolis city limits was initially scheduled for a vote Wednesday, June 3, but a public agenda indicates the city plans to ask for an extension to July 1.
The push means that any sort of a zoning law for data centers will be delayed and likely not go into effect until at least August. According to the most recent draft of the proposal, the new regulations — if and when they are passed — will not impact any centers already approved or filed with the city. Currently, developers have been asking the city to allow data centers on land already recommended for industrial use.
The city’s Department of Metropolitan Development unveiled its set of data center regulations on April 21 and gave residents a little less than a month to review the document and submit public comments.
The nine-person Metropolitan Development Commission, a mix of real estate professionals and land-use experts, votes on rezonings, land variances and tax incentives. The Commission will vote on the matter first, taking into account staff recommendations and public feedback. Then, the Indianapolis City-County Council has the final say to approve the rules.
A DMD spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether there will be additional time for public feedback.
Under the proposed zoning rules, data centers would be allowed in special use districts, meaning the land could only be used to house a data center. The special-use designation would allow for more targeted and flexible permitting.
The ordinance addresses concerns about elements like noise, sight lines and water. If approved as is, the proposal would require a minimum 200 feet separation between the main building of a data center campus and a nearby protected district, which can include environmentally sensitive areas or historic developments. Meanwhile, the maximum sound level at the property line would be limited to 65 decibels, about the noise level of a conversation with a friend.
In addition, companies would need to submit a water management plan on anticipated cooling needs, an electricity report detailing electric loads, a noise and mitigation plan and letters from utilities confirming the ability to support the project.
Read Indianapolis’ proposed data center ordinance:
Alysa Guffey writes business and development stories for IndyStar. Contact her at alysa.guffey@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: City delays vote on new data center regulations: What to know
Reporting by Alysa Guffey, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
