Hundreds of residents press commissioners over proposed data center near Wheeler schools; speakers request pause and independent studies

VALPARAISO, Ind. — Dozens of residents from Union Township and neighboring areas packed a commissioners' meeting to oppose a proposed data-center development and related Willow Creek Road extension that would place large-scale data infrastructure near Wheeler-area schools and residential neighborhoods.

Speakers raised environmental and health concerns, requested an immediate pause on rezoning or infrastructure work tied to the proposal, and asked the board for independent environmental and fiscal impact studies and full public disclosure of developer ties.

"Why in in the world would I ask to do that? Out of respect, I'm asking you to do the thing. Why would we put an industrial area immediately adjacent to a school?" said a Union Township resident who identified himself as representing the Union Township School Corporation and who said he was speaking on behalf of the district's concerns about tax base and student safety. (Transcript: public comment segment.)

Several parents and residents said they worry about noise, light and vibration from a hyperscale data center, water use for cooling, and long-term local economic and property-value effects. "This project is not going to bring money. It's going to hurt us. Our children is everything to us," said Sandy Hill, who said she lives at 650 North near the proposed footprint.

Other speakers told commissioners they had researched industrial-scale data centers elsewhere and described 24/7 operational noise, heavy on-site equipment and large diesel generators during construction and backup-power events. A resident who said he works near an existing hyperscaler on Route 2 described the site as "a disaster" and said it "glows at night" and brings heavy truck and crane traffic.

Residents asked the county to require: - An independent environmental impact study and an independent fiscal impact analysis, - A community oversight board with Union Township representation, - Full disclosure of campaign and developer contributions and potential conflicts of interest, - A pause on rezoning or road-building until studies and public review are complete.

Several speakers emphasized proximity to schools: about 1,100 students attend the affected district, they said, and they described concerns that new industrial uses and 24/7 noise could reduce enrollment and damage children's health. "We are not against progress," said David Bolo, a Union Township resident. "I believe the perceived economic benefit as proposed by BlackRock will not override the negative impact on the quality of life for Union Township residents."

Commissioners responded in public remarks that state law requires county officials to accept and process land-use applications and to hold required hearings for applicants. One commissioner told the crowd: "We are not the bad guy here. We're what we're doing is managing your government. They have come into the county and asked to be heard. By state law, we must hear the case." He urged residents to use the formal public-review and planning process while continuing to raise concerns.

Other residents urged faster action by commissioners to make clear positions on data centers near homes and schools. Some speakers said they had gathered petitions opposing the site: one speaker said she collected 1,500 signatures in a single day, with many addresses inside nearby ZIP codes.

What the county said Commissioners noted they have limited discretion to halt an application outside the planning and rezoning process; they told residents the board will follow required legal process and hearings, that they hear the concerns raised and that they would rely on the planning commission and public-comment opportunities for further fact-finding.

Next steps Several speakers said they would press the planning commission and related county bodies for a formal pause and for independent studies. Commissioners said developers must still file permit and rezoning documents and that the planning process will be the venue for technical reviews. No final rezoning or permitting action was taken at the meeting.

Ending Residents left the meeting with no immediate county moratorium; many said they planned to attend upcoming planning commission hearings and seek independent environmental and fiscal reviews. Commissioners said they will follow statutory procedures and that public comment and planning hearings remain the appropriate technical forums to evaluate the proposal.