Staff outlines data‑center code draft: megawatts, setbacks, noise, water and decommissioning on agenda

Planning staff presented an extensive conceptual framework Aug. 19 for regulating data centers in Whitley County, proposing to classify facilities primarily by power usage (megawatts) and to apply supplemental development and performance standards (building size, acreage, setbacks, noise measured at the generator property line, water‑use limits and decommissioning requirements).

Staff outlined three possible classification metrics — megawatt capacity, building floor area, or gross site acreage — and recommended megawatt as an industry standard for classification while including other factors in development standards. Noise was a major focus: staff proposed measuring noise at the generating property line, using a combination of distance, material mitigation (for example pre‑cast concrete noise‑attenuating walls), and performance limits (suggested thresholds in the staff materials included 45–50 dBA at a residential property line, measured and compared to pre‑construction background levels).

Staff also reviewed water‑cooling trade‑offs (open‑loop vs closed‑loop vs air‑cooled systems), the need for disclosure of maximum electrical demand and on‑site generation plans, generator/fuel storage disclosure, truck‑traffic and road impacts, independent review of technical studies, and financial security (decommissioning bonds) to ensure remediation costs do not fall to taxpayers. Staff recommended a drafting timeline with continued discussion Sept. 16, a concept draft in October and a public review hearing in November.

Nathan told commissioners he would "take that as a probably use megawatt because that's an industry standard as our classification and then use these other factors as part of the descriptor and development standards." Public commenters urged specific numeric limits and monitoring for groundwater and sound, and asked that the county avoid blanket exemptions, NDAs or tax incentives without strict conditions.