After a St. Joseph County Council meeting that lasted more than 10 hours the vote on whether to rezone land for a second data center in New Carlisle was voted down.
The 7-2 vote happened just after 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Hundreds of people filled the council chamber. The outside room was filled, as was the downstairs lobby and more than 150 people watched the meeting on Zoom. Much of the crowd stayed for the vote.
County Councilman Randy Figg called it “a great night for the people of New Carlisle.”
Residents have expressed concerns about resources including water, power and land. Supporters say the industrial developments are part of a growing economic development area.
In September, the County Area Plan Commission issued an unfavorable recommendation. One month later, the County Council’s Land Use Planning Committee also voted to make an unfavorable recommendation to the full council. The Town of New Carlisle also filed a resolution opposing the proposed rezoning.
2 comments
The People have spoken and they don’t want tax abatement’s, higher electricity costs and a ruined aquifer. Use this six month reprieve to sharpen your arguments and be prepared to fight all over again. The officials that want to ram this down your throat won’t give up so easily. What would be so wrong to wait for the ones already being built to be online for a year or so so we can see how wonderful they are. Great job people, we can do this!
Well, well, it didn’t pass. They will be back to try again in 6 months. Those against also have 6 months to prepare. Sharpen your arguments and bring twice as many people to speak at the next morning, make the politicians meet until 8 am. Make them pull an all nighter. As always follow the money. Congratulations New Carlisle!