Decatur Township residents were dealt a heavy blow as the city took its first step toward approving a data center proposal on the southwest side of Indianapolis.
The city’s hearing examiner recommended Sabey Data Centers’ proposal for approval Feb. 26, the second to last step in the process. Now, the Seattle-based organization is closer to building its largest data center yet, spanning over 1 million square feet, despite intense scrutiny from residents concerned about property values, pollution and potential health issues.
“This is a seriously flawed evaluation,” said Pat Andrews, a nearly 40-year-resident of the southwest side who chairs Decatur Township Civic Council’s land use committee. “We need an ordinance that protects the community, neighborhoods all over this county,” Andrews said.
During the meeting, Andrews asked the hearing examiner to delay her decision until Aug. 27 to allow elected officials to set data center regulations. The commissioner denied the request…