Work group unveils Version 5 redline of Franklin County data‑center ordinance

Presenter (speaker 1) presented a Version 5 redline of the county's proposed data‑center ordinance, saying the draft "have produced this version 5 redline summary of what's different between version 4 and what we're proposing now for version 5." The document, dated July 30, consolidates copy edits and substantive changes suggested by the area plan commission (APC) and public commenters.

The draft removes vague adjectives from the preamble and pares redundant references to the transaction award certificate, instead acknowledging the statutory process for state sales‑tax exemption and a potential local revenue share. Presenter (speaker 1) said many edits were intended to make the code more legally defensible and to clarify definitions, buffer‑yard exceptions and implementation steps. He also noted the addition of a formal step allowing an applicant to be approved to exit the preliminary design stage (previously in place only for planned unit developments). "I went ahead and added it here," he said when describing the new preliminary‑stage approval language.

The group agreed to publish a clean draft, a redlined copy for board review, and an executive summary prior to the APC meeting. No formal vote was taken at the work‑group meeting; next steps include circulation of materials and review by APC.