Residents urge council to oppose hyperscale data centers near Wheeler schools

Dozens of residents told the Porter County Council on Oct. 8 they oppose proposed hyperscale data centers near Wheeler High School and Union Township schools, saying the projects could harm water supplies, raise noise and light impacts, lower property values and create an industrial “dead zone” near neighborhoods.

Speakers at the public-comment portion asked the council to press county commissioners to slow the process, require a comprehensive plan and protect school sites. “I don’t want my kid or my grandkid to experience this,” said Annie Hill, who identified herself as living on 650 West, describing how a data center footprint would surround two family farms.

The comments came amid several agenda votes the council conducted earlier in the meeting. Many speakers said councilors told them the council does not have the authority to approve or deny data-center siting, and several urged the council to use whatever influence it has with the county commissioners. Councilman Andy Vasquez told one speaker he had called and emailed constituents to respond to…