New Albany council approves annexation, rezoning and tax incentives for data‑center project; several finance and infrastructure measures pass

New Albany’s City Council on April 15 adopted a package of ordinances and resolutions that together enable new development south of Route 161, advance street and utility projects and authorize tax‑incentive agreements for a large data‑center project.

The most consequential action approved a set of measures to (1) annex about 29.8 acres from Plain Township into the city, (2) rezone multiple parcels for employment and commercial uses and (3) expand the Oak Grove TIF and CRA to capture incremental value from those properties. Council also adopted a second amended CRA/TIF agreement tied to Sidekatt LLC that staff said would provide a 100% real‑property tax abatement for 15 years for qualifying development on an approximately 200‑acre site.

Why it matters: The CRA/TIF and accompanying developer agreement are the legal and fiscal tools local governments use to support large projects while capturing some value to pay for public infrastructure. At the meeting staff described the proposed Sidekatt project as roughly 450,000 square feet of data‑center development and an anticipated private investment of about $750 million; the agreement adjusts valuation methodology so certain advanced fabric structures will be treated at data‑center valuation rates rather than a lower fabric‑structure rate.

Council heard the staff summary and then adopted the measures after public hearings with no speakers. Miss Siegler, a city staff member who presented the TIF amendment, told council: “This ordinance amends the Oak Grove tax‑increment financing district to include approximately 29.8 plus or minus acres currently being annexed and zoned South Of 161 in Franklin County.”

Details and outcomes (Votes at a glance): - Ordinance O10‑20‑25 (municipal & joint park district code update): Adopted (4–0). Purpose: apply city park rules to the joint park district and give police enforcement authority in the park district. - Ordinance O11‑20‑25 (expedited Type 1 annexation of ~29.8 acres): Adopted (4–0). Staff said the County Commissioners approved the petition and the statutory waiting period had been met. - Ordinance O12‑20‑25 (rezoning — Gatton Parkway South / Gatton Parkway South Zoning District): Adopted (4–0). Rezones roughly 194.6 acres to Limited General Employment (LGE). - Ordinance O13‑20‑25 (amend Oak Grove TIF to add ~29.8 acres): Adopted (4–0). Staff said the TIF is classified as "non school." - Ordinance O14‑20‑25 (accept 22± acres from Amazon Web Services): Adopted (4–0). AWS dedication subject to deed restrictions and an agreement to describe permitted uses tied to AWS air‑quality permit conditions. - Resolution R15‑20‑25 (2nd amended CRA/TIF and memorandum of understanding with Sidekatt LLC): Adopted (4–0). Staff said the project includes data‑center buildings on approx. 200 acres (≈450,000 sq ft) with expected investment of $750,000,000 and a 15‑year, 100% real property tax abatement subject to benchmark performance. Miss Kreisler summarized the valuation and benchmark provisions: “The project is expected to begin in May 2025 and be completed by December 2029.” - Resolution R11‑20‑25 (2025 city street improvement project — bid & award authorization): Adopted (4–0). Engineer’s estimate $2.97M; $3.0M budgeted for the program; alternates and schedule explained. - Resolution R12‑20‑25 (snow removal, turf and landscape maintenance contract): Adopted (4–0). Staff said the new contract would cover ~175 acres and estimated cost in the $345,000–$375,000 range. - Resolution R16‑20‑25 (water main and utilities work for Belperheimer/Walnut roundabout — bid & award authorization): Adopted (4–0). Authorizes a 12‑inch main and related conduit; city expects the JPD to install sewer with reimbursement arrangements.

What council and staff said: City staff framed the package as an opportunity for economic development while protecting revenue flows to the local school district. Miss Kreisler, who presented the Sidekatt/C.R.A. details, said staff adjusted valuation language so fabric tensile structures would be treated at the same valuation standard used for traditional data‑center facilities to preserve projected revenue estimates.

Next steps: Several of the adopted ordinances become effective per the city’s codification rules; staff will proceed with bid advertising and contract awards where authorized. The Sidekatt project timeline staff provided indicates construction could begin in May 2025 and continue through late 2029 if benchmarks are met.