(AUBURN) - The DeKalb County Plan Commission is recommending a six-month moratorium on new data center development as county leaders work to create zoning rules before any projects are proposed.
Commission members voted Wednesday to send the favorable recommendation to the DeKalb County Commissioners, who are expected to take up the issue at their April 13 meeting.
County officials say the pause would give the plan commission and commissioners time to gather facts, study environmental and site-development concerns, and collect public input before drafting a formal ordinance.
The main goal is to prevent any data center proposal from being filed and grandfathered in before county regulations are in place.
County leaders said no formal data center proposals have been brought forward yet, but they want to get ahead of the issue before developers begin approaching DeKalb County.
Officials also noted the six-month moratorium could be extended if more time is needed to finish the ordinance process.
Several residents who spoke during public comment praised the county for taking a proactive approach, especially as data center proposals continue surfacing in counties across Indiana.