Staff member outlines zoning‑code reformat and reserves slot for AI data‑center district

A staff member identified in the transcript as "Bill" presented a reformat of the county zoning code at the Area Planning Commission meeting on June 25, 2026, saying the table of contents and the first several articles (drafts 3–5) are largely in good shape and that only a few language verifications remain.

"I'm feeling pretty comfortable with those," the presenter said, summarizing work to date and asking commissioners to review the materials and forward comments by email. He described a process that places much of the code's material into article text rather than in a separate large table, which he said will make future edits easier.

A key decision in the draft is reserving an entry (noted in the draft as E3 on page 2) for an "AI data center" zoning district; the presenter said this is being held as a slot in the zoning map and that language and map references will be added for that use. He called AI data centers "rather fraught with controversy," and described an approach using floating plan development districts that would require a rezoning process and plan commission review once a developer identifies a specific location. That approach, he said, would allow both the county executive and city council to weigh in on contentious proposals rather than relying solely on the board of zoning appeals.

The presentation covered other structural changes: placing permitted uses, contingent uses, special exceptions and development standards directly into the article sections (for example, permitted residential or agricultural uses in A1 districts), and folding the large office wall table into the text for easier reference. The presenter also discussed overlay districts, noting the county's airport overlay and explaining that historic protection districts adopted by cities would need to be included in the zoning code to confer roles for local review bodies.

On article six (the floodplain district), the presenter said only small changes are anticipated now but that the state Department of Natural Resources has updated its model ordinance and the county will need to replace the existing floodplain language at a later date.

He flagged several technical follow‑ups: inserting development standards for accessory uses, manufactured homes and off‑street parking; verifying every citation to the Indiana Code to ensure legal references remain current; and adjusting references to the county fee ordinance where fees are set. He said the board of zoning appeals and administration sections will require substantial additional work.

Commissioners did not raise substantive questions during the presentation. The presenter closed by asking commissioners to review the drafts prior to the next meeting and to send questions or comments by phone or email.

The commission then moved to the director's report.