Sellersburg council adopts one‑year moratorium on new data centers, solar farms and battery storage

The Town of Sellersburg on Aug. 10 adopted Ordinance 2026‑ORD‑013, a one‑year moratorium that prevents the town from accepting or approving new applications for data centers, ground‑mounted solar farms and large battery storage facilities while the Planning & Zoning department completes a UDO review.

Resident Andrews told the council she and another resident had gathered 248 petition signatures urging a ban and pressed for environmental, noise, air and light pollution studies and habitat-conservation protections. "As of today, we've collected 248 signatures," Andrews said during public comment. Council members and legal counsel discussed whether a permanent ban would withstand legal challenge: the town attorney advised permanent prohibitions on a land use can be vulnerable to property-owner challenges and said tailoring the UDO to restrict uses and impose site standards is the standard, defensible approach.

Council voted to waive the second reading and adopt the moratorium effective on passage, instructing staff to bring UDO amendment recommendations through Planning & Zoning and encouraging residents to participate in scheduled open houses on Aug. 19–20. The ordinance defines data centers, solar farms and battery storage facilities for the purpose of the moratorium and sets the moratorium term as one year or until repealed.

Legal counsel noted the moratorium pauses new approvals but does not preclude future applications after the UDO review; a subsequent council could change the rules. The council emphasized public engagement and invited residents to the posted UDO open houses and survey.