CHARLESTOWN, Ind. (WDRB) — Charlestown Mayor Treva Hodges said a $105 million data center in the city won't move forward until the developer meets a list of conditions approved by the city's plan commission.
The plan commission approved the 55,000-square-foot data center Monday night in the four to three vote.
The 3-megawatt center, originally proposed by QLEVR LLC. in May, is set to be built on 12 acres of land in the Shadow Lake Industrial Park on Crisitani Parkway. The proposal suggests construction could take 14 to 16 months.
The commission heard nearly 90 minutes of public testimony before the vote, with many residents raising the same concerns they had been since the data center was originally proposed — construction noise, potential utility usage and impact on the environment.
According to Hodges, the developer was already told its first requirement is completing an environmental study before construction can begin.
"If we pull up one day and we see a bulldozer out there digging dirt, and we don't have that environmental study, they're going to get a stop-work order," Hodges said. "And if they ignore the stop-work order, they'll get fines."
The project also can't move forward until the company proves it won't put too much strain on Charlestown's electric or water systems. It must also test the water used to cool the servers before it's sent to the city's wastewater treatment system.
"We're going to be watching every step along the process and make sure those stipulations are followed to the tee," Hodges said.
Hodges said the city was in a tough spot because it's currently updating its zoning rules after adopting a new comprehensive plan last year. She said around 600 residents filled out a city survey, but only two mentioned data centers.
"So last year at this time it wasn't on the radar, especially small data centers like this one," she said.
Under the approved plan, the project is limited to one building and can't expand. It will also be hidden behind an earthen berm and a buffer of evergreen trees.
Hodges also said the project won't receive any local tax incentives. Instead, she expects it to bring in nearly $2 million in business personal property taxes during its first year from the equipment inside the building.
"There are no incentives attached," Hodges said. "That is money we can invest right back into the things the community needs and wants to see."
Because the site is in a tax increment financing district, Hodges said the city also hopes to use some of that revenue for improvements to High Jackson Road and other nearby infrastructure.
"We want to make Jackson Road safer," she said.
Even with the stipulations, Hodges knows the project will continue to receive its fair share of criticisms. However, she said city leaders want to continue answering questions throughout the process.
"I would just encourage anyone who wants to continue to talk about this or ask questions to reach out to us," Hodges said. "If we don't know the answer, we'll continue to chase down the answer."
The commission also made a motion Monday to consider a a possible data center moratorium to review the city's zoning rules. That discussion will start at its next meeting.
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