Plainfield planning panel approves two Radius data centers despite heavy public opposition

The Plainfield Plan Commission voted Jan. 5 to approve the primary plat and development plans for two 100,000-square-foot data centers proposed by Radius Data Centers at Allpoints Parkway, clearing a major procedural hurdle even as neighbors and area residents voiced broad concerns about utility demand, noise and fiscal impacts.

Radius representatives told the commission their projects would be ‘‘edge’’ data centers intended to provide connectivity to local businesses and residents and emphasized design elements intended to reduce visual and acoustic impacts. Architect Paul Leblond said rooftop equipment would be screened and that an external electrical yard would be cloistered by precast walls. Senior representative Keith Klesner said the buildings would take electrical service from a planned Duke Energy substation and that Radius would fund required on-site utility upgrades.

Why it matters: Residents in surrounding subdivisions, and several township residents who farm nearby, pressed the company and staff on electricity, water and potential tax breaks. Multiple speakers cautioned that new large electrical loads can strain local distribution and that any lower local property tax receipts or utility-rate increases would fall to residents.

Residents posed detailed technical and fiscal questions. Madeline Garcia said local rate increases are already under consideration for Duke Energy and asked whether the company or project would offset impacts. Michelle Rawlings raised the possibility of tax abatements and asked, ‘‘Does this data center will receive any kind of a tax abatement?’’ (A company representative said tax- incentive discussions are separate from the plan-review process and declined to provide specifics during the hearing.)

Radius said process water use would be minimal. ‘‘Our projected nonprocess water consumption for staff facilities is less than 700 gallons per day,’’ the company said, adding that cooling would use air‑cooled, closed‑loop chillers and that generators would be used only in emergencies. The company also said it expects substantial construction employment (hundreds of FTEs during the build) and a small number of long‑term operations technicians once the centers are operating.

Noise, emissions and operational resilience were recurring themes. Speakers warned that backup diesel generators could produce NOx and particulate pollution during operation and that the continuous humming of cooling equipment could degrade nearby residents’ sleep and well‑being. Radius said generators would be in sound‑attenuated enclosures and operate mainly in rare emergency conditions while rooftop and yard equipment would be enclosed and screened and a formal sound study will be provided to demonstrate compliance with local limits.

What the commission did: After questions and extended public comment, the commission approved PP‑25‑094 (primary plat to create two nonresidential lots) and approved DP‑25‑087 and DP‑25‑088 (development plans) by unanimous votes, subject to standard conditions including recording of required vacations and secondary plats prior to permitting.

What’s next: The approvals clear the way for secondary platting and permitting; Radius said it will coordinate with Duke Energy on substation work and will submit engineering and sound studies as conditions require. Residents and local officials asked town staff to continue outreach and to confirm what public benefits or investor commitments would accompany the utility and infrastructure work.

The commission’s approvals do not authorize tax incentives or utility rate changes; those decisions lie with other bodies and state regulators.