Madison County commissioners extend data center moratorium for full year
Commissioners in Madison County have voted to extend a moratorium on data center projects for a full year. IPR’s Thomas Ouellette reports.
Audio Transcript
“Staff supports the moratorium and believe it will provide the county with protection against the issues associated with these facilities, as well as an understanding of how to proactively plan for the presence of these and other technologies in the future,” says Larry Strange with the Madison County Planning Commission. He gave the commission’s official recommendation before the moratorium extension was unanimously approved.
Read More: Henry County data center approved by last commissioners vote
While it’s is in place, officials will work on drafting zoning rules for future data center projects. That could include a permanent ban.
Commissioner Olivia Pratt says it’s hard to estimate exactly how long the county might need to draft such an ordinance.
“We want it to be a good ordinance, we want to do it right, so we don’t want to rush it either.”
At past community meetings, the vast majority of residents voiced opposition to data centers and supported a year-long moratorium. Residents spoke about the negative effects of data center projects, like the draining of natural resources, utility bill increases and noise pollution.
Last month, the planning commission formed a new committee that will research data centers and give information to help draft zoning regulations. Planning Commission members Lindsay Brown and Michael Pelsor will serve on the committee. They will be joined by two citizen appointees, Denise Spooner and Al Roadcap.
Read More: Nearly a third of Indiana counties have moved to restrict data centers
Thomas Ouellette is our reporter and producer. Contact him at thomas.ouellette@bsu.edu.
