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Commission approves zoning text amendment clarifying when data centers are permitted
Summary
The commission approved a text amendment to clarify the town's data-center provisions (definitions, private streets and minimum acreage/transmission-line criteria); commissioners emphasized that projects not meeting minimum thresholds would proceed via PUD review and scheduled a public community meeting on June 11.
The Town of Merrillville Plan Commission approved a text amendment to the town zoning ordinance to clarify standards for data centers, including definitions, the allowance of private streets, tree-height limits, and a minimum land-area threshold tied to proximity to high-voltage transmission lines.
Richard Anderson, a speaker representing the ordinance drafter, said the amendment "is a text amendment to your zoning ordinance" intended to define data-center terms consistently with prior work and to provide for private streets and certain tree-height rules. He noted the proposal uses the same definition previously considered by the commission.
Commissioners discussed the proposed thresholds: the amendment provides that a data center may be a permitted use when the project is sited on a minimum land area (described in the draft as 200 acres) and has either a 345 kV or a 138 kV transmission line within the land area. Commissioners asked how smaller projects would be handled; staff and counsel said those projects could pursue a PUD and be evaluated on their merits. Commissioner Brian Daring and others emphasized retaining strong local controls and community outreach.
A community meeting on data centers was scheduled for June 11 at the Mike Anderson Event Center to provide public information; commissioners and staff said the meeting will include presentations from utilities and local officials.
With no public comments during the hearing, the commission moved and approved the recommended text amendment (vote 7–0) and indicated the ordinance will be forwarded to the town council.
