Planning Commission schedules workshop to begin drafting data‑center ordinance; Nov. 12 tentative

The LaPorte County Planning Commission agreed on Oct. 28 to hold a workshop to start drafting an ordinance addressing data centers. The commission made the scheduling decision after members expressed a desire to discuss policy direction before staff prepares a formal ordinance draft.

A commissioner who moved to add the item to the agenda said he wanted the planning commission “to talk” about a data‑center ordinance; other members recommended a workshop night so the full commission could provide input. Staff and commissioners told residents that rumored projects are likely three to five years out and that current county zoning treats data centers similar to warehouses and restricts them to industrially zoned areas.

Commissioners and staff agreed the workshop should be a separate evening meeting to make it easier for the public to attend. Staff said it will check room availability and coordinate schedules; a tentative date of Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. was announced and staff said it would post an agenda online. The staff member clarified that the workshop is intended for commission discussion and that there will be no public comment that night on a draft until a formal ordinance exists and is publicly posted.

The staff member said the county is also addressing data‑center policy within its ongoing comprehensive‑plan update and that the ordinance drafting will draw on templates and experiences from other counties that have faced similar questions.