Planning staff seeks public hearing on temporary data‑center moratorium to allow zoning changes

Planning staff briefed the City of Washington Planning Commission on June 10 on a draft ordinance to impose a temporary moratorium on data-center development while the city updates its zoning ordinance. Planning staff said Indiana law allows reasonable temporary moratoriums and recommended the commission initiate a process that would include a public hearing and subsequent review by city council.

Planning staff explained the commission must publish notice at least 10 days before the public hearing and that the hearing provides public comment rights distinct from a regular public meeting. “As part of this process, once it's referred to the planning commission, the planning commission has to hold a public hearing on it,” planning staff said, noting the hearing must be advertised and public comments will be part of the record. The commission voted to schedule a public hearing to gather public input; staff and commissioners discussed timing to meet the publication deadline.

Commissioners said they want clear, understandable notice language and limits for public‑comment time to manage turnout; staff offered to adapt sample wording used by other jurisdictions and to circulate the notice to commissioners before publication. If the commission certifies or modifies the draft ordinance, it will be forwarded to the city council for final action.