Commission approves a 55-foot height variance for Souder Road site, limited to data-center use

The New Albany Planning Commission on Oct. 20 approved a variance to raise the permitted maximum building height from 45 to 55 feet for a property on Souder Road, with conditions limiting the change to data-center use and requiring visual and acoustic screening for rooftop mechanical equipment.

Staff explained the request covers two subareas of Souder East and noted the property sits within an IPUD that will later require a final development plan. The applicant’s representative, Aaron Underhill, said modern data-center equipment and rack densification make two-story designs infeasible under a 45-foot limit; increasing to 55 feet would allow a viable two-story, air-cooled facility that remains below typical industry heights.

Stack Infrastructure representatives described operational needs including cooling and mechanical-space clearances; the applicant said the nearest homes are several hundred feet away and that a mature tree stand and the existing data-center building on adjacent land provide screening.

Commissioners probed whether a rezoning would be more appropriate but accepted the applicant’s proposal to limit the height change to data centers. The commission adopted three conditions: (1) the 55-foot height applies only to data-center uses, (2) rooftop mechanicals must be screened for sight and sound from 360 degrees using the city’s recent standard language, and (3) the applicant must screen the view from Traditions Drive by exploring off-site tree plantings and, failing that, plant on-site screening.

On the roll call the motion passed with a single dissent; the commission recorded its decision and the conditions for future final development plan review.