Commissioners advance first reading to reclassify data centers as conditional use
On first reading Oct. 26, the county moved to amend the zoning ordinance so communication service exchanges, including data centers, would be conditional rather than permitted uses; the Bartholomew County Plan Commission recommended the change 9–0. Public commenters urged clearer policy and cited past water-use controversies.
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Assistant Planning Director Melissa Begley presented the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-10 on Oct. 26, proposing an amendment to the City of Columbus and Bartholomew County Zoning Ordinance to reclassify communication service exchanges (a category that includes data centers) from permitted uses to conditional uses.
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