Kokomo council advances data center ordinance despite public opposition
KOKOMO, Ind. (WRTV) – The Kokomo Common Council President dismissed the idea of a data center moratorium ahead of a vote advancing new regulations allowing data centers on industrial sites.
“The moratorium was just kicking the can down the road as far as we were concerned,” Republican Council President Greg Davis said during the Aug. 24 council meeting. “We wanted to address the real problems.”
Davis made the remark in response to a person speaking against an amended zoning ordinance permitting data centers on industrial properties.
11 people opposed the ordinance during public comment, criticizing its lack of regulation to address utility use and quality-of-life impacts. “We’re losing respect for the people for which (we) once voted,” Kokomo resident Brooke Walsh said.
Davis said the council discussed a potential moratorium in June, but a majority of the council wouldn’t support a pause on developments. The council welcomed people to email ideas for changes to the ordinance. “It’s not falling on deaf ears,” Davis said.
The council advanced the zoning proposal on first reading by a 6-2 vote, with Jeff Plough, a Republican, and Bob Stephenson, a Democrat, voting against. Republican Councilmember Crystal Sanburn was absent.
The ordinance would require data centers to be at least 200 feet from residential districts and 300 feet from any home. But it does not add any stricter rules on utility use, noise, or infrastructure beyond the city’s current industrial regulations.
In a letter to the editor published in The Kokomo Lantern, Stephenson said his vote against the ordinance was driven in large part by a desire to see any necessary amendments ahead of a council vote. “In my time on the council, I cannot recall a single instance where changes were made between readings to address opponents’ concerns.”
Republican Mayor Tyler Moore previously told WRTV 6 News that data center developments would still need to submit site plans to the Kokomo Plan Commission. If a project involves an economic development agreement, the council must approve any requirements part of that agreement.
Moore said data center developers have shown interest in Howard County. Though council members said, to their knowledge, there are no current data center projects in the works, and they are not under any non-disclosure agreements preventing them from discussing a data center development.
The amended zoning ordinance still needs final approval. The council’s next meeting is September 14.
