Boone County APC recommends one-year moratorium on new data centers while rules are studied

The Boone County Area Plan Commission voted to recommend that the county commissioners enact a one-year moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated parts of the county while staff researches ordinance options and drafts amendments. The commission concluded a temporary pause would give staff time to develop zoning language that differentiates small accessory facilities from large-scale cloud or hyperscale centers.

Nicole, a planning staff member, told the commission that 11 Indiana counties had enacted moratoria on data centers (most for one year) and recommended a moratorium as "probably the safest and probably would be my recommendation" to allow time to prepare amendments and study legal and infrastructure implications.

Board members and members of the public cited concerns about water, power and other infrastructure for very large data centers. One resident earlier had raised water-supply worries tied to a nearby commercial development, saying the health department had allowed commercial wells and neighbors feared private-well impacts. Commissioner Victoria said she would support a ban but agreed a moratorium to research options was appropriate; she said, "I would vote to ban it," while acknowledging the group should study the legal and technical implications.

Following discussion, a commissioner moved for a one-year moratorium, a second was recorded, and the commission voted in favor of sending the recommendation to the county commissioners. The APC agreed staff and members would work quickly with the commissioners; the recommendation is scheduled to be presented at the county commissioners' meeting on May 18.

Why it matters: Large data centers can require substantial water, electric infrastructure and land; local officials cited concerns that the county lacks sufficient infrastructure for additional large facilities and said zoning should specify the types and sizes of data centers that are allowed or prohibited.

Next steps: Staff will research ordinances from other counties (including examples used by Cass and Marshall counties) and draft potential moratorium language or ordinance amendments for the commissioners' consideration.