Commissioners approve Diamond Way right-of-way vacation and add "data center" as an exception use in I-3 zoning

Kosciusko County commissioners approved two planning items presented by planning staff: a petition to vacate a platted right-of-way on Diamond Way and an ordinance amendment that defines "data center" and classifies it as an exception use in the I-3 industrial district.

Planning staff said the Diamond Way vacation request came from property owner Kevin Homan, whose adjacent parcels abut a platted right-of-way in Jane Warren’s subdivision. Planning staff reported the petitioner’s attorney committed to combining parcels to avoid land-locking adjacent property. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval; commissioners accepted that recommendation by voice vote.

On the zoning amendment, planning staff said the county had received an inquiry for a small data center on U.S. 30 and that the planning commission recommended adding a definition and listing data centers as an exception use in the I-3 district so the Board of Zoning Appeals could review and place conditions if appropriate. The planning commission made a unanimous recommendation and commissioners approved the ordinance amendment by voice vote. Planning staff noted the ordinance is a "living document" and that future refinements may be proposed.

The meeting record does not include the ordinance ordinance number or detailed conditions that the Board of Zoning Appeals would apply; staff said the change would take effect immediately but could be revisited by the planning commission or board if additional parameters were warranted.