Indianapolis scrambles to write data center rule book
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Indianapolis is scrambling to write a rule book for data centers as proposals pile up.
Why it matters: With no specific zoning framework in place, the city has been forced to evaluate each controversial pitch on an ad hoc basis as community pushback intensifies.
Driving the news: The Department of Metropolitan Development is in the process of establishing zoning regulations to set standards for things like data center size, location, usage and noise in Indianapolis.
- The first draft of the proposed rules was released last week, and the city held virtual information sessions on Tuesday and Thursday to gather community feedback on the plan.
- DMD director Megan Vukusich stressed that the city's intent behind the sessions is to inform rather than advocate.
- "The purpose is not to persuade anyone to like or not like data centers," she told attendees at Tuesday's virtual session. "The purpose is really to equip you with information."
Zoom in: The draft ordinance would create a new SU-47 special-use zoning district requiring every new data center to go through a full rezoning and public hearing. Other key standards:
- A 65-decibel maximum at the property line, at all hours, with a required noise study by an acoustical engineer.
- 200-foot minimum separation between a data center's primary building and any residentially zoned "protected district," including schools and churches.
- Required decommissioning plans, water management plans, utility "will-serve" letters from AES Indiana and Citizens Energy Group, and an operations plan before any building permit is issued
- Generator testing is banned between 5pm and 7am.
The other side: Critics, including Citizens Action Coalition program director Ben Inskeep, say the draft still fails to place meaningful limits on where data centers can be built.
- Some residents — like those who attended a Tuesday night gathering organized by City-County Councilors Jesse Brown and Crista Wells to watch and discuss the information session — questioned whether the virtual format was designed to limit community input.
Threat level: Opposition to data centers reportedly escalated early last month when Councilor Ron Gibson said he woke up to gunfire and a note reading "No Data Centers" on his doorstep days after supporting a data center in the historic Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood.
State of play: In addition to the $500 million Metrobloks project in Martindale-Brightwood approved in April, other projects in the pipeline include:
- A $4 billion, 130-acre Sabey data center was approved in Decatur Township in March despite months of community resistance. Residents are now suing in Marion County court to overturn it.
- Georgia-based DC Blox is seeking approval for a $2 billion, three-building campus on the east side near South Kitley Avenue and the Pennsy Trail, with a public hearing slated for May 14.
What's next: The proposed ordinance goes to the Metropolitan Development Commission on May 20 for a public hearing.
- It will be introduced to the City-County Council on June 1, head to the Metropolitan Economic Development Committee on June 8 and is targeting final approval during the July council meeting.
Go deeper: Read the draft proposal and watch the information sessions.