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Commission begins framing rules for data centers; residents urge water safeguards
Summary
Staff presented a working white paper and ordinance concepts on data centers; public commenters urged caution, citing potential impacts on the local water table and citing other counties' moratoriums on data centers or battery storage until rules exist.
At the end of its Nov. 3 meeting, the Grant County Area Planning Commission reviewed a staff‑prepared working paper intended to help the county define and regulate data centers and related facilities.
Planning staff described the paper as a starting point that lists definitions, regulatory options used by other Indiana counties, and topics for an ordinance — including siting, power connections and impacts on natural resources. Staff said the document is a working draft and solicited commissioner feedback.
During public comment Michael Duke and Linda Morgan urged the commission to consider the plans’ impacts on the local water table. Morgan noted that another county had passed a resolution to delay data centers and battery‑storage projects until an ordinance is in place. "They passed a resolution to not have a data center or battery storage until they have the ordinance and get all that taken care of," Morgan said.
Commissioner discussion will continue as staff circulates the white paper and proposed definitions. Staff also noted that permit‑processing staffing has been bolstered by a new part‑time permit clerk and reminded commissioners that fee and fine adjustments will be published and go into effect after required notice periods.
The item remains at the discussion/concept stage; the commission did not adopt a formal ordinance or moratorium at this meeting.
