Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Metropolitan Economic Development Committee. My name is Bob, mostly chairperson. And I ask my colleagues to introduce themselves starting with counselor. Think it MR. Chair your Kale District. 23. Thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN Michael Paul Hart representing District 20, thank MARCH Air Bright Mowery District. 25. Thank you. MISTER Chair Roberts District 4. Thank you, MR. Champion that we need to stick to. Thank MARCH Aaron Gibson District Thank you, CHAIRMAN, mostly anything else in District 14. Thank MARCH Air John Barth representing council district 7. Thank you, CHAIRMAN. Mostly Christian Jones representing District 18. Thank you, CHAIRMAN. Also legally, why Robinson
representing district one. Thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN Maggie Lewis District 5. All right. Very good. We have 2 items on our agenda this evening. The first big proposal, number 2, 3, 7, which requests that the Indianapolis Department Metropolitan Development Eliminates parking minimums within the city of Indianapolis and Marion County and I council around. Yes, thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN Captain Jesse Brown District, 13 member this committee, but also presenting proposal. It is a general resolution to abolish Parking minimums. I know the vast majority people are Not here to talk about this. And so I'm trying to speed pretty quickly about, of course, want as much time for questions needed. So here's a zoomed-in photo of Indianapolis just showing surface parking. It's mostly the downtown. It goes a little
East because unbiased, more of my district. It's actually 27% of our urban core is right now taken up by surface parking parking, provides about the least amount of tax revenue. It's probably the worst for storm water system and it causes all sorts of problems. Right now, anybody who has driven around to find parking spot and then seen that actually this parking is there for different business than the one you're trying to frequent right now. I have just a microcosm of the frustration with all of this parking, but none of it seeming to be available. Right now. Developers are required to provide off-street parking or request a variance for pretty much anything they want to build in Marion County. And when you request a variance
that means getting an architect or a lawyer or at least planning professional to help you. It increases your cost increases the timeline for developments. This is one of many reasons why we're not building enough affordable housing. Why businesses are harder to start up and so on and so forth. Again, this is that was in Denver, Jean, of closer to the Mile Square. And again, that that number 27% of the central city as off street parking. At about 51 out of 100. One would be ideal according to a couple different advocacy organizations. So just to put this into perspective, all of the cities you see on this map. Have some version of a citywide parking minimum abolition. So this would not be the city to removing all parking minimums. In fact, not even the first in Indiana since South Bend to beat us to
the punch. This provides a number of different benefits. It's good for neighbors because when you have fewer street parking lots, you have better walkability. You can get to more businesses without needing your car. That's true for your kids as well. If they're not yet driving age and it's lot more likely that you'll ride a bike if there's something close by, don't get super sweaty by the time you're out of the business. It's good for developers for reasons. I mentioned that lowers the costs of development makes faster timelines to complete projects. There's less red tape, less bureaucracy. And then maybe most importantly for this committee, it's good for the economic development of our city. Higher density would be lower infrastructure maintenance costs because we to go all the way to the edge of the county. That means more property tax revenue per
square mile. That means more money to spend on improving the quality of life for our constituents rather than on campaign consultants to approve areas. We would get less flooding. The better stormwater control if we had denser parking solutions rather than just a few spots attached to every single business. And we also have lower heat because right now urban areas are heat islands due to how much heat radiates up from all the surface parking. So a couple questions I got from constituents when I was proposing one is I ask you to ban all parking for new developments in the answer is obviously not. You know, that's majority people drive in the city. I still drive even though you know, I'm guy who's always ride my bike of the bus. This would just stop the city from getting involved in the transaction between the
developer and the bank. Right? So if a bank thinks that you are not going to actually be able to get your clients in the door without a certain out of parking. Your lender will likely require a certain amount of parking. That's how it works for developers right now. All we're doing is saying as long as you can find, somebody will give you the money. You've got your business model. If you want to build it, we're not going to hold you back on account of not enough surface parking of off street parking. Another question was a case. But what happens if, you know, we got a bunch of new businesses, none of them have surface parking spots. As now nobody can fit, you know, like the business wants to do a lot more business. But it can't get customers in the door position
of parking. Well, that's what the free markets for. So now that means the parking is at a premium people. What parking and a developer can build a parking garage. Or a condensed parking lot, which a lot more efficient than again, separate 2 or 3 spaces for each different business. When we subsidize parking by taking a free resource, quote, unquote, free the same way as a social silent free health care means it's already paid for socially and we're just giving it away by pushing people onto the streets or it's advising and this kind of backwards way. So this is something that, again, other cities have done years ago. I've been trying to push this for several years and one of the council to take some political leadership by considering this proposal. My original intent was to create a proposal to update the
zoning maps or that zoning amendment and said it to the mdc to have a public hearing on a vote on. But instead the instructions I received were that the council cannot legally do that. And instead the nbc has to be the one to initiate this process. So this is similar to a special resolution in terms of it. Does not have the weight of law. This would just be a way for counselors to indicate what we want to happen and then pass it to the nbc to take that next step. So I mentioned this to the chair. I know again, we're mostly here to talk about a different issue, which is also a top one for me and so however, much debate or discussion we want on this today. I would welcome could answer questions. But either way, this will be the next we would either amend Originally. My proposal is
going to be for the compact context area and near Rapid Transit lines, which basically means all of my district and a little bit extra. But I thought it would be rude to come here and talk to you all about something that affects mostly my district and a couple others and so wanted to bring this to that that this committee to discuss and debate, whether that's tonight. But whether we end up moving much of the debate to a later time. So that's my full presentation, MR. Chaired, I would welcome questions or direction from Thank you very much. Counselor. We'll hear from members of the committee. Thank you. MR. Has got couple questions. Chance around shared some. Dialogue that he had with the city and eluded
there was some ongoing research with dmd are in dc regarding the subject. I'm just curious. There any information around what they're currently planning and if this necessary and in a way to say, you know, they're already looking at do a very looking at it. Yeah, thank you, Quick answer to that is yes, it was in Business Journal actually that the city's planning on paying some 6 figure him out to consultants to study whether we have an appropriate amount of parking. What I'm hearing from my constituents that we don't need that study, that we'd rather taxpayer dollars on something that impacts people's lives and at least my district, I feel pretty comfortable that there's very broad support for into the parking of us without needed to pay someone first. So MR. Chair. So one of the things that I find interesting about this is Marion County super
divers, right? We've got the city core and then we've got county as a whole. So when I look at it take 3 townships is example. I'll take center township, which today with the Mile Square already has no minimums on it. And then I compare that to say Decatur Township, which is very ruled population 40,000 roughly in that area and take a Warren Township, which has your commercial district suburbs and things of that nature. All 3, completely different landscapes, all completely different user types where we have transportation types as user types. And I heard I think I heard you say in your comment that. You're ill intent or maybe your intentions are for near rapid transit lines and the his life condensed core, I think was the term that you something some along those lines. So in addition to the Mile Square, we also have no minimums on transit oriented. Development
lines are overlays. So we have those this would apply, which is actually interesting because that comes in to like, say, a district 20 on the east side because we have the blue line that has a 2, 0, g in which. This is already a clickable where there are no minimums on that I think the intent here which is get towards those areas that are already. Aggregate of high population densities, which is essentially downtown and on rapid transit. It sounds like that's already achieved through what we have today. Maybe there's something little bit more area that you're looking for with expensive around the Mile Square. We talked about the aggregate, but I think to put a blanket over all of Marion County and say that has know the names across 2 brought in the sense for my taste. I think we've got pretty healthy balance of the moment. The other thing that I'd be interested seeing and knowing is that we saw
some of the data points. The data points they showed maybe some cities. But how many of those cities are city counties right? Indianapolis is very unique. 400 square miles, very diverse, very different than a lot of other cities, as well as the data that you had. Their showed data in your district. But it doesn't show data county wide, which MAY not actually articulate the need no parking minimum. So, you know, with those those positions in place today, unable to support Interesting continue the conversations. If there's some areas that are maybe more towards the aggregate score, but for completely across Marion County. And I don't think it's up a couple today. Place. Very brief response. Thank you council hard for It's not actually accurate that there
are no parking minimums and that Mile Square or on to it. And in fact, this was brought up recently because people trying to build affordable housing in those areas still required to have parking minimums. There try to say You can reduce the number of required parking spots, especially in those areas by building things like ev Chargers bike racks. But you don't get down to 0 without a matter what so I guess you know what? I don't want to try to say what's up like a bow for your constituents. You're the expert But from my perspective in an area that's very car centric, not well served by transit. That's where developers of the banks would have the best idea of how much parking as needed. I don't think government needs to get involved in that free market transaction personally.
Counsel Robert. Thank you, MR. Chair, I want to give kudos to you for doing this council Brown. You and I've talked about on and off last couple of years of social other advocates to just wanted to kind of also get out some misconception about this is very common and also I will make a small correction. I personally prefer the word parking mandates are than parking minimums because parking minimums comes off like it's reasonable doubt. But really this is at its heart government red tape telling private businesses, neighborhoods and all that what they should or should I have, in my opinion, the onus should be on the community. The district councilors city staff deemed the nbc for making that call because they know these projects a lot better but some formula that might happen from the state
city. Anything else. Again, it's not anti parking in. This really is an Thai red tape. Also want kudos dmvs. Know they have been working on something similar. This this will not override necessarily what they are doing already. This is something that is just a really suggestion to the nbc that we would like to see as a priority. And also it's worth mentioning, too. It's not just some even Democratic proposal just this last week, North Carolina, their state House passed with 100% support with Democrats and Republicans. They've Republican state legislature and a Democratic governor unanimously that proposal to eliminate parking mandates in North Carolina. There a number of other states have done the same thing to really get from the kind of attritional business support. You know, there's red tape and also for, you know, Mort Democratic people s really
would do a lot to support neighborhoods in the city to support different communities. So I think is very common sense. I give you credit for doing it. I wish this were final but obviously up to nbc will take some notice of this because this will be really great for cities. Thank you very much. Council ku. Thank you, MR. Chair the I do hear about this quite a bit as well. I've got a lot of areas where would redevelop where there are some excessive parking lots sum, you know, due to being built, you know, 50, 60 years ago when the parking minimums dictated. And yet the parking lots are never more than a 3rd full and they would like to do some hot water things like that. They they have to come back and get variances, which are challenging because there's no
appeal process. If you didn't say magic words to satisfy the bza, the guess I am curious about the legal process and I appreciate the the timing that when you submitted, you probably were not aware that we were going to have an opportunity here. But we'll have next an amendment to the zoning. Have you? So I preside it is my understanding what you describe as well. That. Dmv initiated mgc. Then it comes to us. But it is my understanding. I would be curious to hear if there's a different legal opinion that once we once the doors open, we could ammend additional things. Have you considered simply amending the proposal to 38 to do these things. When
we send all this back to nbc. Thank you. I mean, without providing obvious, I'm not a lawyer. This isn't legal advice. I understand working within the system. I know none of us created the home rule statutes that we have into the state house. And so to a certain extent, I'm fine with kind of, you know, fighting dirty and that way. But but to me. Adding and something totally unrelated to what the nbc was talking about into a bill to send back to them. Yeah, makes me a little bit uncomfortable and I haven't. Haven't necessarily wanted to push in that direction. Okay. Yeah. I just I would add in that. I think that frankly they have they have modernize in some portions. They just simply have not gone back to like the c one through 7 because mixed use, which was created more recently. That's one of the notable things that mixed use, which you can build anywhere. You don't. Very often built into these and things like that. But it can
be built anywhere and mixed districts that that one of their hallmarks is that it eliminates the parking minimums or at least modifies them quite substantially. So I think there is a model. I think we just they haven't come back to say, hey, you know, if you did wherever that Costco that had apartments above it, if that was bill down on County Line Road, if they'd simply put apartments above the Costco on County Line Road, their parking lot wouldn't be subject to the minimums that it was. So all right. Thank you. Counsel Thank you. MISTER Chair. As the economy juror, I love hearing you say the word free market will take care of it all. So also, though, I like my Lauber incomes and the fact I haven't heard a lot about the counter argument for why we have parking minimums in
place? I mean. There are some obvious ones that come to my mind that I'd like to know there's anyone from dmd here that would be able to speak to. You said there's a study coming forward to study all of our parking minimums, which sounds great, right? Like maybe we need some in some locations, but maybe we don't. I didn't know if there is anybody that could speak to why it might be more appropriate to take a little bit of a slower approach and studying what we have as opposed to just saying no parking minimums anywhere because I do represent a district that borders the county line. And so I'm not I have transit-oriented areas and very built out. Most of my district is bill out. But again, I'm not representing, you know, downtown Indianapolis and the urban
core. Truer been quietly qr side. Again, I'm I'm interested to know that counter argument for why. We might have them. And if you could talk a little bit about all that or if there's anyone here from d-Md. Is there anyone in audience from the indie who can respond to this? Hi, good evening. My name is Megan because I'm the director for the Department of Metropolitan Development. So, yes, that is correct. We are currently we have a parking study that is under way. This study is going to give us an inventory of existing parking within key districts. Well, also evaluating future demand scenarios. So we want to look at what we have today. Is that, you know, do we need more? Do we need all of these questions? We want to have a data driven foundation for any
policy changes that we bring forward. So that's why we're going through that exercise. I think on the surface parking minimums in urban planning. This is talked about a lot women, Asian of them were open to exploring that idea. That was a part of one of the reasons we wanted to conduct this parking study. So, yeah, we're excited to get some more data to then come back to you guys and make a informed recommendation on what any policy changes could be. And then I guess answer the why behind why we have parking minimums. There's maybe otherwise. I think. What I have heard in my experience as an urban planner is that you don't want to spill over into adjacent neighborhoods. So if you have a development that comes in, that's going to have a lot of parking demand for
that area. You want to make sure that that development can accommodate the parking that they're going to bring to the area on their site because neighborhoods don't want that parking spilling over into their adjacent areas. So that is one reason why. But I think there are ways that you can design parking to make sure that you are accommodating both. And so that's what we're looking at. The council gems. Thank you, CHAIRMAN. Mostly thank you, council Brown for bringing this to our attention looking at this map. It does look like at least half of it is the district that I represent and parking is a huge topic of conversation in District 18 and I know I have one business association and
at least 2 neighborhoods that are waiting for that parking They're waiting for those results. I just because I haven't had any conversations about this proposal this evening. I would have just a little heartburn voting on it this evening, although I feel very supportive. And I think it's a good idea. I would just want to make sure that I go to my businesses and I go to my constituents and asked their opinion on this. So if it's all right, I would like to make a motion to have some more conversation on this. I would like to make a motion to bring this back to the committee maybe after budget season for our NOVEMBER meeting, if that would be all right. So NOVEMBER 9th make I would like make a motion to bring this before NOVEMBER. 9th committee so that we could have a more robust conversation about Motions and
moved and seconded council Thank CHAIRMAN. I agree if you can, I think conceptually this is a good idea. And I think appreciate you bringing this up for the discussion night. Also a great council Jones. I think there's more partnership. I think the director just made that clear that there's opportunity here to bring this together with a bigger coalition of people who really want to do this. I think taking a pause and then doing some more work between now and post budget would give opportunity and have a more of a Christian do. That's a bigger level of support. So both points are good but point to strong and I think taking time to build broader coalition make sense. Why support the counselors motion? Thank you very much. Any
additional comments counselor, not worry. Counseling here. I'm not sure if I missed it or what, but do we have a timeline on that study that we're doing that we know to give council fair shot of haven't heard in NOVEMBER. This actually be completed. I know. Sometimes government things take a long and felt they should. So I'd like to see the timeline. Yeah. So the studies anticipated to take 8 months. Our timeline. When did it start memo to complete is just getting underway. We went through an rfp process to procure the caught consultant. And so what months from now doesn't look so by number, we don't have a good shot for counts around them to have discussion. Yeah. So. Yes, my question then goes back to council Jones. How how we feel about that knowing that will have this race so we can give him a fair shot at this. I apologize for that. I thought last I heard it was 2 parking
space it put it back to the CHAIRMAN. I mean week, I think maybe we could come back with. I still go for the motion for NOVEMBER because I think we can still have some conversation with our with our stakeholders and still continue the conversation. I still think NOVEMBER just to have a conversation. We can still continue the conversation, but we'll still be waiting a parking study. I guess good Yes, I was just going to that that's all fine with me. I know we've all had a lot in terms tax data centers, everything else on our plate and that budget coming up. So I wanted to open the door to this and get conversation started. And I NOVEMBER we've had time to talk to constituents and feel like we have a good sense of this. I would remind everyone that, you know, best case scenario, we pass something
for the nbc to then take up when they saw fit. So that wouldn't necessarily move lightning fast. I would imagine. But I'm fine with waiting until NOVEMBER. He CHAIRMAN I was just going Catholic John's point. And I appreciate the minority leader's point that that having all the information matters. But I think that'll be a big enough paused to at least continue discussion. Doesn't necessarily have to take action that night. So I think we could have a continued discussion and debate. And that's the whole point of having sort of public policy in the public arena. So I think NOVEMBER's fly. Very good. Any additional comments. Council kale, thank you, MISTER Just just to clarify, the motion is. This is a non-binding resolution, but we're going to postponed to NOVEMBER 7. Additional
counselors. Is there anyone in the room with an interest in proposal to 37? Of moment? Madam Clerk, you have a statement. It starts as we move to the public comments portion of debate for this proposal, he would like to remind committing members the public of a few ground rules in order for everyone to have a fair chance to speak and be heard. It is important each preserve the fine ground rules first. Each speaker will be limited to 2 minutes. Second, any public comments must be recently relate to the agenda item under consideration. Serge speakers who stray from the item under consideration or become unduly. Represent us MAY asked to move on their next point or conclude their comments. Finally attendees to
cause disruptions that prevent the council from proceedings. Are today's agenda in a reasonably efficient men will be removed. Please remember that some types of threatening speech or incitement to violence aren't protected by the First Amendment at all. We will do with those if issues, if they come up, we don't think they will. And now MISTER Chair, if it committee member asked for consent to adopt these rules, we can proceed to public comments. Very good. Thank you so much, sir. Please come forward. My name is Nathaniel Martin Nelson. I live at the by the intersection of College and Fairfield just south of 38. All start by noting right next to the State Fairgrounds parking minimums. Do not
protect us from spillover ever. Every summer is exciting. So this college in Fairfield, all 4 corners have vacant properties that are zoned for retail use. If these properties were developed as we would love to see the current zoning code would require building over 90 parking spaces in the middle of our neighborhood. No one asked the business owners if they needed those spots or if they would help the business, but the neighborhood and business would have to pay for those spots. Every purchase at those stores would be more expensive because the cost of building parking spaces is rolled up and the rent or mortgage. Even now we're paying the price of parking mandates as the cost of parking or the variance process to turns businesses from building. If you were to vote in favor of this resolution as mentioned, you
be in good company. There's 116 U.S. Cities that have completely eliminated parking mandates, including South Bend, Indiana, Toledo, Ohio, and Lexington, Kentucky. Eliminating parking minimum Spears, every business in a house within the city from the cost of unnecessary parking spaces while allowing necessary parking spaces to still be built, allowing businesses the freedom to build the parking they need. It helps affordability and the homelessness crisis by making housing cheaper to build helps the environment. By making walking busing and biking easier. It helps reduce crime by making vibrant mixed-use areas more feasible. But best of all, the cars, the city and citizens. Nothing to eliminate parking mandates. I will also know we we talked a lot about.
Spending more time on every every month. Every year that we go without doing stuff. And this is another another month a year that those lots of still vacant, that people are paying extra on their rent because they had to build build more parking spaces. Buildings are going up in my neighborhood right now that having extra cost because of this policy. So I urge you to usually vote to make Indianapolis a better place to live and save us all some money. Thank you. Thank you very much. Hello, everyone. My name is Clinton. Tom Sullivan, the near East Side. Forgive me at the start of little I wasn't anticipating coming up here in speaking in favor of this resolution. But it's something I I think is really important, especially from a long-term perspective for the city and from a sustainability and
resilience perspective. You know, Indianapolis has a walk score. Just 46 making it a heavily dependent car city with limited micro amenities and residential neighborhoods and an average commute is heavily reliant on cars. Personal vehicles and this isn't by accident. It's a product of state and municipal policy and such as parking minimums and to sort of to just focus on some of the impacts, you know, I think forcing parking minimums, incentivizes automobile use at the expense of space inland. And so some of the major impacts and its impacts the parking infrastructure parking infrastructure. Next negley negatively affects a wide ranging from now comes primary significant long-term
infrastructure costs and lower tax base. His impact in car ownership in travel behavior. So parking effects, current ownership driving transit uses forces the use of a car and disincentivize his public alternative transportation also produces effectively an extra tax on resident on residents who need to use a car too. Drive around. But the only way to get around the city, there's a parking oversupply in the role of minimums for parking requirements. So parking is provided an excess in the parking requirements. Often contribute to oversupply. Parking minimums as a constraint on development, I think is the last speaker noted parking requirements can limit the development of new
homes and businesses producing density density is extremely important for climate resilience and for like long-term costs of infrastructure, such as the water roads, electricity, other costs. When you've been on density, those cars become higher. And last I want to make is repealing minimums. Generally slows the growth of new parking supply and often produces the intended effects that they argue for. Thank you. Thank you very Hello. I'm Melissa put major. I live 14th and cough in the little Flower neighborhood. I did not come here today where up that this would be a topic and I'm here not to argue one way or another. I'm here to ask but you counselors here selves and
asked for the city itself. To look at the needs of seniors in their policies and the changes. I I love that the wonderful biking paths were making a tense. Michigan and New York have have been wonderful improvements. 4 people on the east side to get to and from Indianapolis. I like to see more density in housing to time. I'm really happy that we're transit more transit services. A lot of Things assume people have the physical capacity to bike and to walk and to state. And because we don't have seats by any hardly any have the. Bus stops. You know, has a mobility impaired. Senior has many of my friends are. I just asked the to find some way to
look at those needs and incorporate them in your decision-making. Thank you. Agreement. Right? If there are no more comments from the public, I would ask. CHAIRMAN Jones says she might just restate her motion. Thank you, CHAIRMAN. Mostly I make a motion rescheduled the proposal to our meeting on NOVEMBER 9th. All right. Missions improperly moved and seconded. All those in favor. Please signify by saying Aye. I any opposed nay. I good that motion carries. Thank you and thank council around. The next item on our Its proposal to 38. Which amends chapter 7.42,
0, 2, Otherwise known as definitions. 7, 7, 4, 2 dash, 109, the PRESIDENT And a special use districts and table 7, 4, 3, dash, 208, dash, The Consolidated Zoning and Subdivision control ordinance of Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, concerning Data Center development. MADAM. MADAM PRESIDENT, believe you a comment. Yes, sir. Thank MR. CHAIRMAN, as you know, sitting in this seat you to have the opportunity to hear all sides of an issue oftentimes multiple times and even before the public has an opportunity to hear said specific topic as the topic of guardrails and zoning continue to unfold. It was clear that there was still
work to be done with industry experts. The administration, the council and the community at large. Also, it was clear that as a body, we weren't in agreement and that we were faced with at least 20 to 30 amendments ranging from banning data centers altogether. To pass, additional centers without any guardrails. I know that vice PRESIDENT Bars assistant and al Nielsen Councilor Brown. We're working on amendments. Also, I was recently and fun that are majority lit leader and you MR. CHAIRMAN, we're also working on amendments, all signaling that there is much more work to be done. I felt that it was important enough that we should hit pause to allow for the kind
conversations to continue, especially for those individuals that felt like they haven't been heard are wasn't given the opportunity to be at the table. So I made the decision to proposal to 38 that I so Lee sponsor. This isn't about grandstanding. Slowing down economic development. I've had conversations with the chamber and I I e the iucn asked them to assist as moving forward. This is not a cop out IndyStar. It's about being humble enough to acknowledge that when something isn't working, we should hit pause. With that said, MISTER CHAIRMAN. I move and proposal
to 38 2026. Biden leading the language and that double stricken through and adding double underlying language to read as follows college. You should have a copy of the amendment. Section one revised code 7. 42 109. So part of the zoning ordinance in Marion County, Indiana shot specifically reserved for data Center regulation shall be developed by staff after moratorium ending no later than DECEMBER 31st. 2027, I permitting or allow it of any and all data centers within the jurisdiction. The Metropolitan Development Commission, nbc to allow for staff to consult with convene a committee of expert. Committee of experts and
community members. Again, I did mention the chamber and I e d I this group but not limited to it to reviewing existing structures uses standards, specific data center campus size maximum building height, maximum foot plant sound levels, including the bbc low frequency noise. Brown's brownfield and other environmental concerns including surface subsurface tax. Testing generate testing plans electronic waste disposal plans. Striking to see everything that was a moved. This ordinance shall be effect from and after it's passed by the council in compliance with an Indiana coal. 36 dash 3 dash 4 dash 14, MR. CHAIRMAN again, I so move. Probably moved and seconded of the comments and
counselors. Thank CHAIRMAN. I fully support the PRESIDENT's amendment to create a moratorium for and meaningful period of time when it comes to reviewing and approving that out. Senators explain in just to underline and bold in that house eyes with the PRESIDENT Just said there's a lot more work yet to be done, even though I do appreciate in value the work that our city staff have done. They did a thorough job. They looked other cities. They did a very meaningful level of community engagement and came up with the proposed plan for zoning for data centers. The feedback I'm getting from my district is that like the PRESIDENT Said, folks, just one more time to away. And so I think it's important that we do this and that would take this
action and I support it. I do want to make sure folks here and at home understand similar to what we just did with accounts proposal opposed postponing something pretty moratorium for a period of time. Gives us more time to to work and come up with the right solution for the city. But in both instances we are relying on the mdc in their work. The zoning changes. They send that to us. We can amend it and send it back. We are depending on them so they will receive this assuming it passes passes tonight and passes the full council. So please, everyone who's very tuned into this issue paying a lot of attention when the nbc received this and they decide how they're going to proceed. Need to show up there let them know your point of view and why you think they should accept this moratorium because ultimately this is a conversation between this body
in the nbc to get to get to conclusion perfectly possible that they could send it back to us for us to continue on with the with the zoning debate. So unless we are successful and letting them know that just will the community that moratorium proceeding, give us more time to work on the right solution for Indianapolis. Then we want to achieve anything tonight. So please be aware of the sort of conversation in the back and forth. We're in right now with the nbc. But I fully support this action from this committee and ultimately from the council. Thank you. Thank Council. Do it. Thank you, MISTER Chair. I think it's important we recognize the timeline and why it was set
into place. And that was because we don't have regulations right now in this county. And so thank you to the staff. There was a group of counselors that Matt prior prior to the staff, even introducing the ordinance that we're trying to get something on the books because we have no regulations in the county as it stands and so are just General Dhoni regulations. Nothing specific pertaining to data centers. I do want to acknowledge the work that's been done in for of why it MAY sell fast and and ultimately now why we feel we need more time was we were trying to get something in place. And so it was done with the best of intentions I do have a question for MADAM PRESIDENT or council pertaining to the language of no later than what specifically does that mean
the way? The way I read it, we're going to continue to work on our regulations while the moratorium is in place and then assuming we have another package that's ready to go. That's had everybody's amendments and everything considered. Then we can still proposed that. And at that time, the moratorium would fall off. I'm getting a nodding head for anybody that's not seen her on camera. Our PRESIDENT Is not anxiety will leave, stop talking let her respond. PRESIDENT, please, thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN, that's exactly right. I want it to allow Space 4 at the work gets done before DECEMBER 31st. 2026 and so the plan is for everyone, including that we continue to work on those amendments that
everyone was discussing, allow nbc to do what they do, allow the nba to bring the experts to the table to have the conversation and then again, if it's done before the 31st of next year, then that's fine. But again, I didn't want to lock us into that day and I did not want to signal that everyone needs to go Stop having the conversation. We need continue to have this conversation. Good initial comments. Council him. Thank you. MISTER Chair. I guess I would like to hear more about that. I have a real concern. Brought this up with minority counsel that we have struck through the definition of data center in this and then used the word data center in referring to a moratorium. And so I would pass along what
minority counsel said was that we now have stripped out the definition of data center and unfortunately, there is no consistency from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. There isn't something that you can point to and say this is what other places have said is data center. I look, for example, like at Seattle their their definition was the storage and processing of other people's data and using more than 20 megawatts. That's very technical. It's different than ours because ours also encompasses network processing, which I think is is historically not been what most people understand data centers you know, just the the network. Switching, what Comcast does the routers that they have near your neighborhood would not be what
most people think. It was. The dissenters, but they were caught up in this definition in the absence of a definition, my big concern is that we're saying the word data center moratorium, but the legal advice was that now that decision on what a data center is and whether or not a moratorium applies goes back to the mdc potentially the bza where much like the ones that we've seen so far, we don't get to review my. My fear is that well, I think this needed a fair bit of work. It did at least put a position through where these were subject to call down. Were any one of us if there had been one in our district, could have done that. But in the absence of this and having stripped out the definition data center. I'm not sure that the
moratorium has the teeth that we needed to have to actually walk to the so if if you can address them water, PRESIDENT. MISTER CHAIRMAN, that was extremely technical. I will look to council, but I will say that the intent is that for centers that are on the docket now are in the queue, if you will, that those will continue to move for it. This is speak specifically to new centers. But again, I will allow our experts to speak to that second technical piece of this. MADAM Council. We currently don't have a definition if Greg Mahlich make answer but we don't have a definition as we speak today. And dmv. Does there best to define what that is? And they we have done that now. Leave it to make it to they haven't yet. So currently, the zoning ordinance does not have a
definition for data centers. So I guess one thing to consider would be adding that definition back into this amendment. So that, well, there was a definition for data centers. You could still do that with the moratorium language that you suggest said and then absolutely correct. We've got questions on telecommunications facilities are says data centers. I just want to make clear that there are is a specific definition for telecommunication facilities within the zoning ordinance. Those are regulated by a different set of state regulations. And so those would continue to fall under that definition. But you are absolutely accurate. There's no definition today of what a data center is in the zoning code. Thank you. Right. I
guess with that high. I think that we need to have that me. That's a pretty critical piece to this. In my opinion that we do need to make that definition here because otherwise, I don't know that you can just wave your hands and say data center moratorium without having to find a dozen or so. That's a pretty critical piece of this. I guess I would encourage us to continue to work on this I postponed if need be to have that continue amendment to the amendment. Because I'm I'm concerned that this is actually going to continue legally to allow the current Wild West. So I know the comment was allows the existing ones, but I don't think there's anything in here that would stop somebody from tomorrow coming in. And in fact, my fear would actually be that if somebody was thinking of a new data center and saw that we were taking
this action, it lead to like a little bit of a gold rush for somebody will now come in and go home. I needed before they because we can't move quickly. We like we amend this. We come back in AUGUST. We send it back to abc. They have to pass it. This could cause. If this bounces back to SEPTEMBER OCTOBER, going back and forth, that could be a real problem. There could be additional data centers we don't know about today coming through. So I think Councilmember PRESIDENT, think directive can speak to that did follow period. Just one option. Just a recommendation to address that point would be to alter the amendment to just continue to include that definition of data center that we would need to postpone it to another meeting. Going to need written amendment. You could do that full count at approved this amendment data definition back full count. He's a Thank you,
MR. CHAIRMAN, thank you. Thank you both. I do not support us postponing this conversation. MADAM Council stated that we can do it on the on the council floor. You have my commitment that we go back and add that language into this amendment. But I do not support us postponing this conversation or this this amendment. Thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN, Pretty Good Commissioner comments council Cahill. Just a just a thought we could. Not take the vote on this amendment but vote on the proposal as amended. Send it back with intent ending at full Council. MISTER CHAIRMAN. Absolutely. Absolutely not. Again, I I'm confident that we are doing the right thing and suggesting that we go ahead and pass that. What we know is
not fully fully bait. That is not a good proposal. I cannot support that. We know that that proposal needs for work and it's it's not ready for us to take before the full council. So I did not support that. Additional commencement council hard. Thank you, MR. On under the believe on this one that there are with the existing proposal. I think that. We really start reverse this way. I think if we do what you're proposing but what we do with the PRESIDENT's proposing MR. CHAIRMAN, we MAY leave some unidentified gaps. And what I mean by that is alluding to similar to what counsel Kate was talking about because actually experiencing a similar situation. I know nothing today is going to be impacted. But technically the folks today could design known as a 5 or node. It would not have come up in the data center as the map because they essentially create a fiber hub
around it and then lease out space internally. And never use the words Data center but still provide some similar features right? So I think the big one of the bigger concerns that I've seen around centers is certainly around hyper scalers. In most cases, not necessarily some of these things that could be the find else like fire. And are things of that nature. So when that comes into play, that's what gives me reason to believe that a set of regulations is actually safer for the community. Moratorium on data centers on that one singular term because there's still option for things that can fall outside of that term that can still facilitate a similar type of need. And so then what will happen in that case, which is similar to what I'm
experiencing now is that I'm going through a variance of use, not a rezone. And so in that case, there is no authority that comes back to the city council as a whole. It stays with the mdc. There's no ability to call down and then you end up with. A data center like facility to find something else. Whereas if you have a set of regulations that you continue to work on. You have a level of protection. You have accountability from the council and you can provide a level of protection while still improving the language that's the observation of MAY through and experience. So I hear what you're saying is you're trying to do what I think it's still leaves open a lot of ability and reduces protections for the public. PRESIDENT. Thank you for your your comments.
Both the u a I think you guys are proving my point. There are more questions answers. Therefore, again, I I suggest I recommend that we move forward with the with the motion to have a moratorium on data centers. We pretty good. There's a comments comes around. Thank you, MISTER Chair and thank you. MADAM PRESIDENT just wanted committee on the record. I think this is the right move for today. Frankly, I find very frustrated with the nbc, although there were caveats presented and some votes we did unanimously as a body has a 25 member council. It struck the nbc that what we wanted was a moratorium months ago. That's also borne out by the vast are the largest single response to Dr because it her staff's public comments about the proposal was that we want
a full ban or moratorium for now. We can see the number of people in the room tonight. We could see the number of people who've come out to council meetings to nbc meetings for a year at this point. And there's never been a more clear signal of both where the popular will and with the well, this council has been. And so I find very frustrated that we're in this position to once again for the second time this year. Tell the nbc that we would like a moratorium. If, in fact, we are allowing developers to skirt this decision. I think that is very clearly on the heads of the mayor's appointees at the Metropolitan Development Commission. Not because of any missteps made by this body. Thank you. Very counsel Thank you, CHAIRMAN. Mostly. I do appreciate that. This meant
the catch by counselor Cahill. I think that that's an important clarification. I think. I also appreciate counselor hearts discussion that same. Complication would exist if we did have the regulations, right? So if we had regulations with that definition maybe wasn't all encompassing, it would apply. It it would apply in both cases. But I do. I do appreciate what you're saying. I think, but we do need is something clear that at least dmv staff can point to well, maybe not the most comprehensive possible because we don't know how technology is going to to work in the future. It at least is I think at this point in time. Those comprehensive definition that we are seeing. And so I do want actually think dmv for
their hard work and for taking on such a challenging topic and such as short period of time. And I think that they were doing so. This is my interpretation. They're doing so because what we're seeing is the wild west of how data centers are able to compete with either either a variance of use or acs district classification and they're able to kind of John, back between the 2 of those without anything for dmv staff or counselors really point to with that in mind. I also want to thank the PRESIDENT For leadership on this because I think as bins as has been outlined his taken to this moment for us to be able to take this action. But what was very clear at the point with which we can take action. The council is taking action and that's really important for people to see and has been robust conversation. Nbc's a hearing examiner's in
communities around the city and what has been your Eversley held is why isn't the council doing more? The council's doing more right now. Right. I want to thank you, PRESIDENT Lewis for stepping up and doing that. I'd also like to say that, you know, during this period time, important that we continue to show up must continue pouring. The folks continue to to engage this process. So that hopefully we get to a point where we can have more comprehensive conversation on this. I think that. Again, what this the challenging topic, it's not over, right? So we're hopefully this passes tonight. If it's successful, go to the full Council for a vote and then goes back to the nbc has been this discussed at length of which them dc has
time. If we get into a point where there's ping-pong, we're going legislate, right? Forgot to do some more. But it is also important to note that tonight is just the next step and another process. The vice PRESIDENT Has emphasized that you're gonna hear us say that a lot, because I think what often gets lost in this conversation is that somehow the process isn't working for you. And that is, That is a factor of state law. But we are operating within the confines of what we have. And again, the amendment tonight as reflection the council and the PRESIDENT Are listening. So thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN. If you don't mind, I also want to recognize counselor who who is visiting with us this evening. That's council Collins,
Perkins. Want to make sure that we recognized him if he had any comments. Thank you, MR. Dr Carlos Perkins District 6. I'm fully in support off of the proposal MADAM PRESIDENT. I echo what my colleagues have shared. We've heard from the community. This continues to the hot cop topic for not only in this chamber but across the city across Marin County. We need time to talk to to to resolve And for the support of off what MADAM PRESIDENT support is not recommending tonight. Thank you. Pretty good. COUNCILMAN Roberts. Thank you, MR. Echoing all that. I just want also mention, I do plan before this. This also largely informed actually put out a survey on Friday. The people
who live in district a present and I was wondering, you know, because obviously when we could these public hearings, it's always very overwhelming. The opposition. I was wondering, do you know if I do put out some of its more neutral like a survey? Would there be the same op with little opposition? And I was a unanimously. The answer is yes is over 90%. People wanting it. Did us a moratorium. And I will say, well, the interesting thing was not a people. And I think there are different schools of thought on this. Some people that are 100% anti, although to center be a little more nuanced on it or the amount of people that are just making the point, which I think is a strong one of us. Wait and see, right? Look, let's see effect of these data centers will be. Let's see if we need more regulation, right? Not just maybe year and a half now, but just seeing effects of that I think is responsible. We did.
All over the city that have been actively PRESIDENT Like we've shared for years. But most of them are smaller scope, but also some other cities are doing really getting a better broader view of this before we have other legislation passed, anything that is responsible and thank you. Everybody took my survey was very informative and I think the community's been very loud and clear on this. Stance. And, you know, I think there's ways you can be nuanced on this truly legislate with all the intricacies of the different bills. But I think having time is the important part of its. Thank you very much. Councilmember. Thank you. Chair. After hearing a lot of commentary I think data centers is probably a pretty close contender with potholes in Annapolis at this point. So we've seen the in the out pour
opposition to the day centers and I think MADAM PRESIDENT is on the right track with this proposal. However, given the comments are from counselor Cahill and hard about. You know, moratorium on data centers of definition data center. I do have concern there because the doors that could open so well, I don't know that I can be in tonight because of the lack of a definition. I think once we get to the full council, MADAM PRESIDENT has that amendment to. In the amendment. With definition of data center and then give us an opportunity to come wrap our minds and heads around. What is it goes like in Minneapolis, 30, 40, 50 years from now with these 2, if we do go for these data centers and have, well, idea the structure of how to move forward, this data centers with community with people
that are subject matter experts and businesses that would you want to house the city's center. So I respect the effort that MADAM PRESIDENT, before this, this amendment to proposal, but until we get that definition and baked in I don't know if I can be in support of Thank you. Thank you, MISTER Chair. I'm sorry to go. Make again. I just thought it's really important to put context around council. So that's a very helpful points about the complexity of this process. And, you know, you mentioned the Nelson, but I just wonder restate for people who having followed state politics as much as counselors. We all get membership in a group called accelerating Indiana's which allows city and county leaders from across the state to just got a big email. Listen, ask each other questions help resolve answers. And over this
weekend we have someone I don't remember what town asked state fledge us. Ladies. Hey, do you guys have a sample data center moratorium language that you could bring as a proposal? And Michael Griffin from Highlands and northwest Indiana said we don't have that because we literally just in the middle of a meeting, someone made a motion saying let's put a moratorium on all data centers, someone seconded it and they passed it. And that was law. And the reason we can't do that in the city is because we have the mdc that carves out that power that normally would be this legislative bodies power and they have the solubility to do that. But they still do not actually need to wait until we pass this at the AUGUST meeting that need to wait on us for anything they need or Wednesday of this week. And
the CHAIRMAN, Dylan could just say it's clear what the council wants were instituting a moratorium from that today. That's a political decision. But he has this isn't some arcane process where his constrained by the handcuffs of law, the laws that we have are set up by the state have super majority Republicans and even still the Metropolitan Development Commission has the power to act as they've had for months. And they're politically choosing not to thank you. Council Thank you, MR. I just wanted to share one thing that was set with me because I don't see a copy of it in front of me as I just want to say it for the record, most importantly, but I know I received a letter from John PRESIDENT And executive director of the Central Indiana Building and
Construction trades a central Indiana that represent painters like titian our workers labor's operating engineers, pipe fitters sheet metal workers and countless other skilled trades that building in the city. And I'm not gonna read the whole letter because it was really long. But read the big bolded part that says here is that his as his words, we support guardrails, not a blanket freeze. It says to be clear, the Central Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council are not asking the council to approve every project with no questions asked, was concerns about water usage, and grid capacity and neighborhood impact deserve serious study and clear standards. We support the council developing, thoughtful, transparent criteria, efficiency standards, utility coordination requirements, community benefit agreements
and hire local Prince's ships. When applicable and then towards the end, it says we respectfully urge the council to reject like moratorium instead work with the industry, labor and utility partners to develop clear responsible standards that keep Indianapolis open for business and our members on the job. I think because I want to share some of those patches from that letter because I don't got you know, I don't see it on my desk. Additional Counselors. Thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN, just to be clear, if this passes tonight, it will go to the full council with that again. If it passes, it would be a do pass recommendation after that vote. It would go to the in dc and again, 2 counts of Brown's point like the process doesn't. And tonight, our even
at the next council meeting at the nbc says it they do not support our effort in the proposal comes back to us the way that they originally submitted, maybe and then we as councils back picking up where we left off with So again, I just want to stress that there's clear process moving forward and that the work is not in this evening. Thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN, we don't think you very much so before we open the floor to the public. I'd like to dmv director for any comments that you MAY have and also to say thank you to the empty for the work they put in over these past months. Director. Thank you, Sling counselors for the record again, Megan, because its structure for the Indianapolis Department Metropolitan Development,
which is commonly referred to as d-Md, I think we said that a lot tonight. But just wanna make that clear that that's what that stands for. So this is a proposal to amend the consolidated Zoning and Subdivision Control ordinance of Indianapolis, Marion County, specifically the proposal that was before you to amend chapter 7.42 0, 2, which is the definition section. And then chapter 7. 42 109, which is a special use districts chapter pertaining to data center development. This proposal is the result of over a year of research and development which included working meetings with City Council and city Council staff since JANUARY of this year to get direction and guidance on policy objectives. We appreciate the city council's
attention to this matter as our zoning ordinance currently lax regulations for these developments. We welcome the moratorium Amendment that you of all proposed while the Department of Metropolitan Development has conducted thorough research and has proposed reasonable and responsible regulations for data centers. This is a highly regulated use with potential impacts beyond what zoning has traditionally regulated. And we support taking a pause to be able to have time to conduct additional research and stakeholder engagement. I also want to take a moment to say that one of the biggest challenge is we've had to overcome throughout this process is misinformation. And I want to make a few things clear on the record. The first is that Indy's goal is to protect the people of
Indianapolis. Dmv wants public comments to be known and for mitt information to be accessible. Our goal is to make information easy to understand. So people can know what is going on and can provide informed feedback. Dmg is an objective regulatory agency. Our role is to process applications and review requests for alignment with local land use policies that are set by our elected official and our boards and commissions. Suggesting anything to the contrary is inaccurate. Dangerous insult to me in the hard work of my team over the past year, our staff has had to process data center applications with no to find regulations as our current zoning ordinance does not include a definition nor
regulations for data centers. Dmd did not seek these developments. Or did we ask for these developments be built? But we are the staff members who must process applications. This has made the Department of Target caught up in an issue that discussed at a national level. But with no decision-making power. What we have done in this interim period and what we are required to do without to find regulations is identify, uses within the zoning ordinance that are of a similar use size and that require similar resource consumption and have recommended conditions that should be considered for approval. Having to find regulations is the only way we can require companies to meet minimum standards and ensure the proper public process plays out. Is important that we all understand and
acknowledge this so we can ensure a safe workplace environment for the hardworking people of our city. Again, dmv welcomes this moratorium amendment and is able to so we are able to take time and a pause from having to review projects on a case-by-case basis and having additional time to conduct research and stakeholder engagement will allow us to do that. Thank you. Very good. Thank you very much. So I'll ask for public comment. And I will ask everyone to please stick with that with 2 minutes. So that one has an opportunity to speak. Thank you. Thank CHAIRMAN. First we have Christian Stoddard,
Jayson Hurley, Wes Leeper. Hi, Kristen. Sauder can be Indiana. Decatur Township. I should be home with my children watching the home run Derby as promised and said I'm here in hopes of saving all Indianapolis children. Let's talk about children, your children, nieces and nephews. Actually. Let's talk about anyone you love. Chances are someone you care about has an autoimmune disease or chronic illness in the documents handed out. Hopefully you received your copies. You'll see over 30 chronic illnesses that can be exacerbated by the things that data centers or their likeness. Kim, bring with them. One being sound in for sound and sound waves. 4th grade earth and physical science taught us about sound and sound waves. How one is heard and one is stout. It travels and is confirmed by the very acoustics behind you.
Now sound waves are physical and at different frequencies make different patterns. Soundwave trouble fastest through solids like the ground data center soundproofing walls will rely on mask damping and cooling to absorb vibration. Energy, turning it into heat, contributing to the already urban Heat Island concern Soundproofing will not be possible for the ground. In fact, it will be and conductor. Your same document was presented via email to Bryce Pats for the mdc ahead of be data center proposal in Decatur Township, not one dc representative asked about independent environmental and noise sound impact studies or health impact. Studies yet the mdc made life altering health decisions for its citizens,
using them as medical experiments. This alone should hold any current data center proposals or its likeness and watch any investigation into any data center or its likeness. Already approved. I'd like to take what's time left in my time to invite anyone and everyone who supports this to quietly stand. Instead, the solidarity is. On Jason early. Cards to the Thunderbird. Location. There's a couple sessions ago. Judy Hall after listening both sides of the was like a debate and it was overwhelmingly. Obvious said these points on the side. Were. Just overwhelmingly. Describing. Yeah, reasons not to go for their with econ development.
Data center there. So when it came down to it. Geologists use to kind you know, even though and they're facing she was smiling, everything and then. And then finally seek her head, went down subconsciously. It seemed to me guilt. And she said, well, you know, is what's going on these days. And to their lives the the That's just what's going on. In the United States. That. Data centers are. Are going up and just disregarded all the facts anything and just, you know, has just said that they're just doing what. What's want and what they want to do. Without taking, you know, health and the environment. Consideration. And this is irresponsible. And I don't
understand birth when you're saying that these are being done for the city and for now, I'm reading that. These companies are being. There's no obligation to. Know, property tax or You know, they're not paying moneys that could be use. 4 cities. You know than that. And then with the will tax and all that, it says. Just doesn't seem like things The young, probably. Thank We My name is Wesley per and I live in district 7 currently serves a policy director for U.S. Congressional campaign in Texas where data center policy is also become significant issue for us now, Indiana is becoming the fastest growing data center markets in the country with more than 90 proposed plan projects
statewide. The question is not whether these data centers create economic value, they do. The question is who is capturing that value? Who is bearing the cost and how much of the economic benefit actually remains in the communities that host such facilities. The tech industry argues data centers are nesters support. The U.S. Economy is increasing demand for digital infrastructure. Well, this is technically true. It's a less than authentic way to present position. Citizens don't need the digital architecture. These companies do and what these data centers will do is support large companies and their efforts to monetize every single, meaningful human interaction and society. These companies are building the physical infrastructure that will store and transmit a massive amount of personal information about our daily lives. 90% of all Dayton
existence today generated in the last 2 years. Pattern is going to be this more users, more data, more data, better rhythms, better algorithms, more users, more users, more revenue, more revenue purchases, more data centers. In the end without proper governance. Going to see the cycle repeat until in Preston, concentrations of the economic power residing hands, institutions like Amazon, Google, Oracle. Now these meetings, it's emblematic of a growing perception among many Americans that these projects become large enough public opposition become secondary to the economic momentum that only benefit the few. This isn't about data centers. This is about power ownership and self government. It's about whether our communities direct capital for whether the count
capital ultimately is directing our communities. And I encourage everyone to confront the question of who owns the who controls the infrastructure and who governs the systems through which modern society increasingly operates and a nation founded upon the principle of liberty. What could be more fundamental than asking who controls the systems that increasing the shape our lives. Progress is going to be measured by the number of service we built. It's going to be measured whether where citizens become more prosperous, independent, more capable because of them, whether communities like Decatur Township pertain agency over their future and whether we leave behind policy, our children will thank us for something that was spent decades trying to undo. Who's next on the list.
Yes, sorry. I didn't have my mic on Donna Blair merits sharp. Joshua Fair. And Brett Sullivan. Good evening. I'm here to support the council members who are bringing consideration for more turning to the table. This lets us know we are being heard. Current outcomes and studies and data centers throughout the nation have already shown negative impacts home prices, the environment and the health of those living near the centers. More independent studies need to be completed in order to determine the long-term effect of the data centers in order to develop needed safeguards. Indiana. 22 counties in Indiana have realized this need let Marion County join these counties and setting an example for the state. Thank you for listening
to us. My name is Meredith shirt. You MAY remember me. I thought as part of Protect Ft, we fought hard to protect our community from Google last summer. I won't rehash the details of the nba's the secrecy, the exhausting process and the lack of protections and studies around that project. But I'm back today with the same issue yet a different fight. Angry. Angry because of week ordinances past, then protecting my family and my community yet again becomes an option. I'm angry because our whole city well, our whole state is under attack. And I couldn't. You tonight with facts and articles in quotes about data centers and why
they're bad for our community but drove intelligent people. And you're going to hear at all tonight. So my question is to you are how many times I have to stand in this building, protecting my family. My community in this beautiful state that I have called home my entire life. Why do we have to keep happening this conversation instead of pausing thoughtfully building the smart city. Well, we should simply ban data centers in this country. Clearly we the people do not want them here and they are not safe. Even remotely close to residential areas. I understand due diligence. So why not form a committee with members from each protect group? Come together with county officials
to discuss and thoughtfully create protections from data center for. You all know yourselves that you wouldn't want to live next to a data center. But it's ok for us to. You're all elected officials here to represent Marion County residents. Urge you to hear our voices tonight and pass a moratorium. Hello, my name is Josh Ferry Lyft here in Indianapolis. My whole from southeast side. I want to ask a different type of question. Where does water come from? Does anyone in this room know? You guys are going to sail? It comes from the sky comes from rain. You're going to say it comes from snowfall, right? That's what you were taught. Rain water itself comes from the land being coherent. When you have an oasis in the
desert, how do you think that Oasis is able to hold water? Able to hold water because it is a coherent snow. It is cold here in that area, which is why water is drawn to it. Our water circulates every 8 to 10 days in a circular motion all throughout the plant. It goes to the top iris fear. Turns to plasma when it's in the ground, it acts as missed the ground is not solid per se. It is going through it as paper all the way around. So what happens when you build data centers everywhere that are destabilize in the soil? What happens? It can't hold water anymore. I predicted within 7 to 10 years based upon my data that we will have irreversible damage. Once the data centers are 100% active. And the reason why is because we can't
replace the water faster than it will be pulled out. It's impossible. And once it reaches that it will force of damage. It is time for 100 generations. This is fossilized water. I'm talking about the car stock refer system. The more we keep building these data centers. It keeps destabilizing the soil as the soil keeps getting more and more destabilized. We are building as many. It's like we're building as many data centers as we can to. We're trying to create a desert here in the Midwest and that's what is going to do. And then, you know what really bothers me is. I see the new crypto fun coming out for the Water Reserve. Why are they doing that water scarcity? It
is being created purposefully. Thank you for your time. I'm Brett Sullivan. I can be rode by a new downtown or that they're supposed on the bill. And I've grown up here. My mom recently passed away. And heard her house. My dad's ashes that this help spread. I didn't know what breeze pollution from generators noise pollution have enough. Problems trying to sleep as it is. And I did not want this in my neighborhood and I already have lung issues. And I've seeing several documentaries on this business insider, Charlie conspiracy website and just so much pollution and
noise. I don't want this in my neighborhood. Next. Can we please have movie mean he'll be Kevin Nicholas? Paul Hart. Rebecca Baer is. Hi, Maureen. Go beyond of near John Barth. And I'm grateful for you all to think about this. And I just want to say that we all know that the tech millionaires. Are buying favorable politics with alarming speed. But none of them has asked me or anyone here if they wanted the ai well involved in every day. The search, if they wanted a I. Making pickleball songs or World Cup means. We're being it's being forced down our throats and we don't want to. I was already too expensive in
terms of electric water and land resources. So lets fix the public. Now let's do a moratorium. Good My name is Kevin Nichols. I live and the little far neighborhood. One zip here today on behalf of her attorney and Earth charter Indiana, which organization I work for. And we've worked tirelessly since 2001 to inspire and advance sustainable, just and peaceful living here in the state Indiana. In recent history. So someone already said this 17 Indiana counties enacted moratorium data centers in response to widespread public concern about the impact of this wave of Casey development on public health and the environment. Here today to voice my organization support for counselor his call for a
moratorium here in Indianapolis. So in 2017, the city County Council passed a new flood climate resolution and set in motion a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The charter Indiana worked with the city Office of Sustainability to develop the Thrive. Indianapolis plant. And unfortunately, the surge in energy production required to meet the expected data center. Load growth accelerates carbon emissions into our atmosphere by burning fossil fuels all at the expense of a livable climate. The popular will against data centers has manifested itself in passionate grassroots efforts like protect Martindale Brightwood and Protect a catered township. Data center. Developers prey on localities with regulatory environments that they can take advantage of. It would be unfortunate to see this
moratorium not cover the projects like the Martindale Brightwood project. The Decatur Township project. 32 projects. Because those are the communities that have laid the groundwork. For this moratorium. So all of that to say that this moment is urgent because it should have happened months ago to protect those communities as well. Thank you. Hello. My name is Paula Heart and I live a couple of miles from where the Decatur Township areas they're proposing The data center there's so many frustrations. I don't even know where to begin, but I'm here to support the counselors who are bringing this to as a moratorium, even calling for it for months now, maybe we're finally listening and I appreciate the opportunity that we all have here to speak
tonight. This is the most it in us and had a chance to talk. So this is fantastic. We know all the bad things about data centers. I want to talk about one of my frustrations. I was in this room last week on Monday, JULY 6, we heard the whole tax increase registrations for the will tax right heard several of you express your just how hard it is for you to have to vote on a tax increase it mind you it's a $100 annual tax increase. Not not. A lot of money is a lot of money. However, you look at it. But why are we giving? Why are we asked to have $100 tax increase while we give these companies massive tax abatements, very fast. I appreciate that. All of you express how you felt on how difficult it is to vote on
that but I've hardly heard many people talk about how difficult it is to vote on So that's pretty frustrating. And we haven't in d c s many of you talked about the process. This can go back to them and they can just squash moratorium idea. They can vote on whatever. When do we get to hold them accountable? We don't. They're not elected. That's wrong. When are we going to do something about that? I appreciate the time. Thank you all very much. Hi, my name is back and I live in Decatur Township. I come before you today requesting a moratorium as the dmv stated in their JULY first hearing, they strongly recommended a moratorium in the case that the mdc in the city counselors recommended more time for research and community
engagement. That is exactly what Indianapolis needs overall. I want to know we support the council members who are bringing forward a moratorium. Thank you. I appreciate that. We are finally being heard. I come to you as a licensed social work in the state of Indiana. Time and time again. I see our most vulnerable populations falling through the cracks. Safety nets continue to crumble. Oftentimes they see temporary band-aids are put on much larger systemic issue such as health care, mental health and inequality. I fear that the development of ai Dan, are some data center just going to propagate these issues. Hans, 2025 study the unpaid toll quantified in addressing the public health impacts of data centers found that by 2028 alone, they estimate that U.S. Data centers alone could cause approximately 600,000 asthma symptoms. And 1300 premature
deaths due to air pollution. Another study conducted by Dr Sailor, a top urban climate expert was recently published that showing the air temperatures increasing down went down when from data centers increase. Heat has been found in multiple studies that we're now hearing terms such as Heat Islands and data Center waste data Center. Developers continue to say that this will have no impact on utility rates. Additionally, these developers continue to build these work. These in working class neighborhoods where families likely will not have the resources to offset their health care cost, pay higher utility rates or upgrade their home to withstand these effects. We need time for responsible, thoughtful development. We cannot pass the buck on to our community members as this research
continues become available. Us Hoosiers must ask, do we want to risk our health? Our utility bills are properly property values, particularly in these most vulnerable communities based on the community response. The resounding answer is no. Please advocate for our community with your vote. Supporting the data a torrent moratorium. Thank you. Can I please have Martin? They got know William Boyle. Kelly, him in in Illinois right? My name is Martin d Augustino. I live in the Fall Creek Place neighborhood. 5 quick points. Number one, the council must insist that the mayor speak to this issue and no longer hide behind a veil of well, that's a land use tissue for others
to decide. We deserve to know what are top elected official thinks. Number 2 weve got at least 2 concerns happening at the same time, the land use issues, of course, but also financial incentives for developers. Given the incredible state tax incentives already on offer. I oppose any use of local tax abatements or tax increment financing for data centers. Similarly, any data centers that are approved should include some form of community benefit agreement that helps spread the wealth from the digital economy to the rest of us. Here's one example. You could require developers to install rooftop or plug-in solar systems in nearby neighborhoods. Providing
direct financial benefit. That's key direct financial benefit to neighbors. I don't think know, should be our permanent default response to date or centers some months ago, Councilor Barth called for a rational sot full intentional and durable policy. More like a yellow light instead of automatic green or red. That makes sense to me. Of course, the particulars will matter greatly. Please be mindful 6. But as William Baller District, 8. Now, when I set my research lab training, hundreds of models for ai, I felt a little guilty. How many resources I was actually using. And come to my surprise that now everyone's kind of happy that we're using 100,000 or so deep hues per data center to train models that hallucinate like crazy. We don't have trusted ai, which is what I worked on for the
dealdy. When I say I want a moratorium, I'm trying to speak to Mark Zuckerberg who said we have too many gp use. When you guys talk about the finding a data center, you don't mention graphics processing units, you know, mentioned tensor processing units for Google. You don't mention these parallel processing that requires high capacity memory, which is why our memory products are so expensive. That's why are gps are so expensive. I calculate it a naive assumption if we gave everybody a clay model, Chinese Quinn model, 32 gigabytes runs on one gpu. That's 85 gigawatts total. You know, many data centers. We have planned in the U.S. 360 Gigawatts 4 times as many. So I them and we have a moratorium now. You don't know your bread buttered. You don't know where this economic
advancement is actually coming trying to tell you there is no money in the future ai in this I that's all I got. Hello. My name is Kelly him and I work for Citizens. Action. Coalition and We Rise tonight in strong support of the moratorium and wanted to express our sincere. Thanks for your leadership on this really important issue. One of the many reasons that we support a moratorium is because it creates the opportunity for the community to be meaningfully involved in crafting strong protections. Right now, communities are feeling steamrolled by data center. Developers and the process that we have established before. The ndc does not create the opportunity for the public to meaningfully participate or influence the outcome of development decisions that
will impact their lives for years, if not generations to come. And as a result, we've got communities that feel like or city doesn't care about them. And that's why it's so important that you're calling for a moratorium so that we can create the space to out folks into local government processes rather than push them away. And here at Citizens Action Coalition, we are here to help in whatever way that we can. We've learned a lot about data centers over the last couple of years through engaging in cases at the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission advocating at the Indiana State House and monitoring filings that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. So if we can serve as a resource to share knowledge and information, we're very happy
to do that. Last but not least Sisi has been around since 1974. And we have never seen an issue that has engaged and United communities the way that data centers half and in a time when our country is very divided, it is important that we do everything we can to nurture that unity. And again, a moratorium creates the space to do that. So again, we really appreciate the call for a moratorium. We appreciate your leadership and we look forward to the Hello. My name is Mandee right. And that might have annoy right. I apologize for handwriting. Thank you for giving us a chance to speak today. I have a unique perspective. I'm the former facility director of Apple City market, which we see across the street. Currently in my opinion, that right now that mess the delays. Has a lot to do with how we let developers around
the show in the city. I manage a food pantry in for 6 to We serve over 1000 families a month. No company should come into this city without giving back a lot of money there are needs in this city. The office of Sustainability. I know for a fact approach. D-md some asking d-Md. I understand there's a whole new crew and you're going to do a better job site. Appreciate you putting a pause. A lot of damage has been done. The office Sustainability has approached and all that hard work off a sustainability is does being wiped out with one data center. It's horrible for Martindale that need be looked at. I don't support a pause. I support a ban. So then we can see years later what the effects will be. I'm asking the city of Indianapolis, the people that we vote for. The people vote for who put people on commissions to push hard to do the right him and things.
We all have a healthy human experience and the city of Indianapolis. Thank you. Can I please have Megan Anderson, still good girl, Pat and Jews and Amy Kuz men. Data centers are creating a significant strain on our resources. They're feeling climate change, water, noise and air pollution farmland, loss and they're dodging pain. Half a billion dollars in taxes in Indiana. Already hyperscale data centers use hundreds of diesel generators for backup power. But those are also tested frequently in the epa is already rolling out a proposal to weaken public participation during air permitting those same kinds of permits. Have these loopholes that are allowing the sites to operate under a minor permit, meaning that they won't be
required to use pollution control or best available control technologies. The the richest companies in the world are exploiting these loopholes. All of Google's Hyperscale data centers in Indiana are using care to generators with no pollution controls. At Fort Wayne in the data center will exceed this voluntary limit that the company took to avoid the stricter permittee with an 83 hours of operation, which is well under what the 100 hours that are allowed by epa for testing and conditional non emergency use. And so we all know that you pay striking a weekend rules for the 2 audi's to run more frequently. Google's Monroe. Yes, it is also putting a strain on our electric grid says providing power to that site and its projected use almost twice as much electricity as Marion
County residents use today. That site has also received millions of gallons of water from Citizens, Energy Group and Citizens Energy Group is providing millions of gallons of water to the meta data center in Lebanon. And as much as 25 million gallons, 2, the industrial site there at leap. And so, you know, we are ready, unfortunately, are are dealing with this strain. And there's already proposals on the table to still Sen the entire amount of wastewater from leap to Eagle Creek, which is the source of water for us in Pike Township. Just this introduce the bacteria into the Cheyenne, Wyoming. What wastewater system by accident when it did its first trial on his closed-loop system please support the moratorium. Thank you. Hello. My name is Phil. Great live in Pike Township. I also been
affected by data centers. Postponed a data center in our neighborhood and I was glad to do Also, the gun ordinance should be stricter. Much larger easements no, he's ready. Regulations, data centers are depleting our water resources across the country and our state. And Indianapolis can be part of creating, you know, better regulations, new regulations that prevent damage to our environment and our health. So I support moratorium. Thank you. Good afternoon, counselors. My name is Patty Andrews land use Committee for the Decatur Township City Council and the Marion County Alliance Neighborhood Associations here presenting both groups and my husband and myself. Thank you for continuing to push forward.
The idea of a moratorium is desperately needed. There are people in decision-making positions in the city who think the data centers and nothing more than warehouses and nothing could be further the truth from the truth. Most the people in room have already begun that steep learning curve about what the heck is a data center just talking about the savvy wanted to cater. They were talking about a 1 million, 2 million, a half gallons of diesel. 10250 generators. Lithium batteries. They're talking about being right up next to residences and it passed. So why it has we have to have an ordinance that protects neighborhoods. That has to be a major goal of any ordinance
against past. So with that, thank you again for putting forward moratorium. It's much needed and we must have something that works for actual residents in the city. Thank you. Hi, my name is Amy Chrisman. I'm in for 6, 2, 1, 4, And leader Westside, Indiana visible as well a member of the Dandy Trail Neighborhood Association. And just not feeling heard applies to the active projects which I'm trying I specifically concerned about leap. So I hope that we could think about applying this to the active projects as well. Sorry. Because we are concerned near Eagle Creek, about pain to treat our water that we swim in. We are and we live the islands, which is a little water lake, south of Eagle Creek. So we are going to be
dealing with that issue of the waste water. We We pay for that. We use electric parts. Property values we are concerned about as well as utility bills that are already rising. We're concerned about corporate greed, sacrifice our land, natural resources, farmland. This is not a solution to the struggles with agriculture for income in Indiana. We need experts reporting on these restrictions and long-term effects of health wildlife, natural resources and water. This is an ethical and moral issue of justice for equal access to well-being as a public health are in and certified nurse midwife. These types of health concerns are what effect maternal child health making Indiana. The
34th in the U.S. For preterm birth and 38 for infirmary despite little improvements, social determinants of health, which are regarding 2 recreation environmental concerns. While like drinking water has risks that we don't even know yet. This is a social justice issue. We are not being there. Not. There's not transparency. Backroom deals, for example, with Meta and Lily. And having tech and money to make a lot of points system. They have the ability to do. Either way, right? It is the issue and the damage to Eagle Creek Park. Lastly, it is totally out of bounds for Boone County to enter into Marion County to use our resources. Recreational and I vital natural biodiversity. Thank you. Next, can I please have our j? My majors. Bethenny York and Randi
Behrmann Biermann. We don't think our case here. Everyone. Good Sully MADAM PRESIDENT, thank you so much. And council. My name is Shauna majors. I am the executive director at the Brightwood Community Center. And I just wanted to come here, too. I actually wrote stuff down tonight in support of this moratorium. For several reasons that have been named already. So I won't. Go through all of those again. But this is long overdue. And I want make sure that moving forward that there's more conversation with the community that these data
centers are coming to before a decision is made and that the constituents that live in those communities don't feel unheard appreciated and not listened to. It's very frustrating when I have to listen to people coming in to talk about data centers the disappointment that they feel in their representation. So I hope that moving forward, we take this serious. I don't. I think that, you know, you see you watch those commercials that say, hey, if you took this thing 10 years ago and now you've got this going on, I don't want to that to be this city. I want us to take our time. Research. You know what's going to happen? Look at all of the things before and create regulations to support the health and
well-being of all of us. Because if you don't live where we live, you MAY not feel the effects of this, but this does and will affect everybody eventually. And so I don't want us to be that late night commercial Indianapolis City kind of council. We're depending on you, MADAM PRESIDENT, thank you so much. And we really respect your leadership in this and and allowing these voices to be heard. And this moratorium is heavily supported in this room tonight. So thank you. But you work and you last saw him here fighting Google with the project. Ft movement. So again, you're hearing a lot of this. Bottom line. We need more information. So I do. Think a moratorium is going to be the best step for us in this process. I do respect the Dmd was trying to do the best they could with the information they had. That's
not good enough. The best we can at the moment is not good enough. We need as some other people were saying earlier we need to stop and make educated data driven decisions. More information than the little bit that they are trying to push on us now. It's not enough. We don't even have a definition. How could we make these major decisions? Our city in our state, 4, like I said, decades and generations to come when we can't even properly define it. We need more information before we move forward, period. That's it. Especially considering the energy crisis that we have going on right now. We are all looking at our energy bills going up. Jaw-dropping. And I'm not even present in a position where that really hurts my bottom line. But how many people are that are there in our city that it does hurt
that extra 10 that extra 20 per month. It's hurting people. And then we have these data centers coming in that are going point to point. It even further. So we need more information. We need to see what the real costs. The tangible cost to our community are going to be before we start moving forward on these data centers, I don't just mean upcoming projects. I also means the ones that are currently in place. Thank you, PRESIDENT Lewis, for bringing this up. Hi, Randi. Berryman Decatur Township. 9 months ago, my life changed forever. I Hyperscale data center was planning on moving in one and a half miles away from my house. At that time I knew data centers were resource hogs. These massive data centers consume water and electricity and they pollute the air and environment like nothing we've ever seen in
history. Right? We tell our children to turn off the water while brushing their teeth. When big business is allowed to keep it on all the time. When we met with some of these big business people that build some of these data centers, we listen to their empty promises that never showed up as commitments. And we've known these promises will never be seen in Decatur Township. We are the citizens. We work hard every day to provide a life for children so that they will have a future, a future that is kind of uncertain right now. We pay our bills, federal tax state, tax Yes, mortgage or rent. And a long out along the way. We've lost faith in our elected officials. We we've been completely ignored. They've move forward with their own narratives, really trying to get transparency. We
run into brick walls. And when we call to try to find out what department we need to contact, we're given incorrect information. Communities are relying on each other more than they are the government because of the misinformation we current. We continue to receive. That's a term that this country has not been for sent to a long time. We need our elected officials back and we need to be supported. I fully support a moratorium on data centers until experts, not lawyers representing big business and appointed officials, assuming experts to data centers. And health effects can be properly address. Ordinances of this caliber need to be the developed carefully by a government of the people by the people and for the people. Most of this council he doubts that others in office
currently are. Next committee. Please have Mark Smith. Pearson. Chloe. And Camille Walker. Hello, my name Mark Smith. I live in Decatur Township. These multibillion-dollar corporations could build these data centers. Why far way from our communities, our neighborhoods, our families and our children. So why in the middle of our neighborhoods? It's because they don't want to spend the extra cost to build their only infrastructure. Think about that. Multi-billion dollar corporations do not want the extra cost to build away from our neighborhoods. We don't know the immediate over the long term effects such as high frequency sound pollution, low frequency, sound pollution, air and ground pollution from the on site diesel, fuel and generators will have on our
communities, our neighborhoods, our families and our children. Is that the health and well-being of our communities more important than the cost, saving some profits multibillion-dollar corporations. I asked the city Council for a moratorium on these data centers to at least study the immediate and long-term effects of these data centers on our communities on our neighborhoods, on our families, on our children, on everyone. This is you don't represent the data centers. Thank you. Hello. My name is Chuck Pearson. And I'm not prepared like these people are about all the bad things about data centers. We all know what they are. My thing is my next Sunday sermon. It's going to be on the golden rule and what I would like you to think
about. If you don't want a data center in your backyard, please don't put one in Thank you. Hi, my name is could his aunt's I'm a Hoosier Environmental Council volunteer. I'm a resident Marion County and I have been my whole life today. I'm speaking not only on the behalf of the Indianapolis residents, but also on the behalf of the future, Indiana residents. In for the animals who don't have a voice for years. Indiana has been undermining the environmental protections for many protected areas. Interestingly icon decided to pass a bill to make it harder for environmental protections to be upheld here in our state. This is called Bill to 77. This altered over 40 rules over environmental code and made it so that there is no regulatory reviews over
water and land. Now that makes us the worst state in the United States for Environmental protection and the worst state for the health concerns due to possible spills or content chemical contamination in our state, an air quality due to large amounts of pollution. I bring all of this up because if something happens to the leap project here in Indianapolis, how residents opposed to know that the water is contaminated. Are they supposed to know that is safe for their kids even go outside? How are we act? How are we going to protect to the ecosystems that have been here long before people decided to come here and use it for circumstantial profit for a political. We are not playing chess here. There are so many questions, honestly that we haven't answered. And I think that they should be answer
before. There is any Senator said Iran, Indiana, anymore, especially if we want anything left for the future generations because I think teaching the teacher teaching the future generations that it is important to protect the earth is more important than teaching them to destroy it. Thank you so much for your time. Hello, everyone. My name is Camille Walker and I am a certified minority business women Enterprise owner in Indianapolis. I am also that an insider in ethics integrator. So basically I hope the community feel better, ok? So on enters as their person in between in over the past couple years, I've had the privilege working with some of you individuals that are sitting up here and I've had the privilege of seeing the progress of
Indianapolis. An Indiana as a business owner. Indiana is not going to look the same by Twenty-thirty. We know this. You know this. The point is is making sure that our voices are heard in this process. I do support the moratorium only because over the past couple months when I've been in the community having conversations with individuals about data centers about the fear surrounding ai. There is so much misinformation and we cannot expect individuals to support something if they don't have all of the facts, if they don't have all of the information and by the simple fact that we don't have a clear definition of what data centers are with in our policy
and procedures. That is something that is concerning to the community. Indiana is strategically placed to be the Mega Center in the Midwest for Technology, infrastructure. It's happening. It's coming. Computer science is now a requirement for graduates are graduates starting in 2030, skews 8, 2029, which means that technology is coming to Indianapolis. We are now requiring our children to understand what computer science and computer technology is. Some adults don't fully understand is sought to me. It's unfair and ethical to move forward with policies. If we don't have all of the information necessary to make those decisions again,
I'm for the community, but I want the progress of this technology so we can see the end. Vance minutes for our people. Thank you. Up me, please have Elizabeth Nation polling. Eileen. William Smith. Paul. Elizabeth was the freshman Cole. If they're not here next is. Eileen. If Miley is not here, William. William Smith. I'm proud to be a Wayne Township precinct captain. I went lot of concerns about this data centers, but I want to thank the City Council for proposing the moratorium hopefully gets passed. One of the big things I it will be affected me personally at the data center goes my house as
autistic person. I can handle background noise and I shudder to think what might happen all that alter frequency staff all that job that would prevent wasn't sleeping at night. I want to show us how effective a moratorium can date no one took a ball player. Last Saturday. Had a horrible day. So I took a step back and more time in effect. As I come back today. And today, I want all of my games, all 9 games. So that's how effective moratorium can And I hope we also a low today, but still at the Virginia, nonetheless, heat wave. Because the had to ask the data says up there to do step backup, diesel generators, otherwise it would have crashed the entire power grid. And that's what we're playing with here. These data center, no joke and we needed
more we can study this properly. They don't have to measure the Heat island effect. I mean, I had to walk here today, 5 miles. Would you like to walk 5 miles 110 degree heat? No. Thank you and my grandkids. I would like to show them. And then app lets it is beautiful. Green. I don't want to show them. I did opposite of the room but data centers. So thank you. Everybody greetings. To me personally. It doesn't make any sense to proceed with any plan that has all cons and seemingly no problems whatsoever. Just a litany of issues. A rapid is progressing. Lets me know that it's at the behest of multinational, multi-billion dollar corporations, not the people behind me or you beautiful people in from me. That alone. I mean, moratorium is an even stronger Fort
Funeral that the idea stop it. Don't even come back. What are the pros? I still haven't heard one. And for the past decade, if not more, all of heard was how we need to conserve water and electricity. But now, you know, forget that. Need data centers I don't think it's for our benefit. I think it's for the benefit of the surveillance state. So that should be here at all on its own. I don't know if you guys have any freedom operate within that realm of condemning the surveillance state that's being built around us. But you know, more years just open up. George Orwell 1984. It's going to be every city. It's gonna look like this. So we can only control we control here. Please debt it here. And now. And guess as a passenger in the back of the plane, I would suggest adding some verbiage since these corporations have, you know, wizard lawyers. Data center is a very vague and generic sounding term. I guess to strike it down for I would
add some constraints on. Issues that they can't navigate around like the amount of water and power that the is. I would have that the forefront of the definition. All right. Thank you. For last 2 people. Can we please have just gone stand and Mark Book writer. There you go. First. Good evening and thank you so very much for this opportunity to support. Ms Lewis, initiative here and supported by the other councilors our own. Thank you. And I'm grateful I'm like the lady here who spoke about what is the use of a I if it's not, it goes to corporations. We
personally we have to struggle answer e-mail with their own words. You know, there's there's thing up trade there. I never asked for this gym and I think that my life. And do whatever the it's doing has a I can't get it out and this is an intrusion of I think our person could. Thoughts are acuity humanity. Thank you. I just say it to also everyone has pointed out here it interrupts our interaction with the natural world that we are a part of. And this denies our ability to sync and to breeze into and sure that it goes on. It is killing us and need to this is our small step for Indiana. Our Legislature is next. And thank you going to do this next to so thank
you. Thank you. Jeffs in force for all forced a lot. The guardrail cited in the regulations that are being considered for data centers do address the most significant environmental impacts these industrial behemoths. And that's the use of water and energy. The water uses could be addressed by making him build closed-loop systems that recycle or water and want to focus on the electricity usage. The staggering levels of electricity. These data centers can soon, particularly the hyper centers isn't up the far-reaching problem that's going to have nightmarish impacts. If we don't. Come to grips with it. The burning of fossil fuels coal, natural gas, diesel and gasoline is causing a climate crisis that
threatening our very existence. The recurring droughts, more frequent, violent weather summer heat waves and mild winners are generating a plethora of diseases, lights and nonnative past that are killing to a popular beaches. Maples Oaks, ashes, wellness, hemlocks and other trees. And Indiana's native forests. But the harm to for us is just one manifestation of the crisis. Weather is pervasive. Flooding lost crops, destroyed homes and buildings, crumbling roads and affordable property insurance. Increasing deaths from sweltering heat and famines are climate induced mass movement of refugees. We are in unprecedented environmental crisis that Americans must address. Every community bus do us part 12 years ago, the residents and
officials of Indianapolis Forest ipl to switch its coal-fired units at the Omer Stout plant to natural gas. Our obligation to address this crisis didn't stop there. We need to keep move for moving forward today. This moratorium should be used to examine the fundamental question of where the massive increases of electricity required. But data centers are going to come from even with the reduced amount of power just announced for the blocks. This data center and the one just approved in Decatur Township or the news. 300 megawatts of power and peak usage. That's equal to 200 to 300,000 residents. So what we're talking about is a
city twice the size of Fort Wayne, just the power usage of the residences. There is is what this is going to require that staggering. The only thing more staggering is the absolute dearth of discussions about it. So my my closing with request is plea. You Is more important thank you for this I'm trying to sneak diss and to our council PRESIDENT Maggie Lewis and City Councilors center in attendance and this evening, my name is Annette Johnson and I am elected official, a trustee in Pike Township. And I'm here for all the residents that couldn't come. I get so many phone calls. I might be the only elected official
that's here to cares. I don't know. But I'm here for Pike Township residents didn't come. And bond is so many environmental group, Sierra Protect Pike Township recently Charter zillion Pike, Indiana First Alliance. The list goes on and on care about our communities. And I am so happy that you guys are really looking at this. And I do appreciate that. You supporting on a to kind of put a whole to this again, I I hope instead of a piles, it's squashed, but hopefully we will see senior citizens and site our season seniors and Pike. We're like, please Just tell them that we're concerned about these high utility bills because we really don't know about to data centers and what the consequences will be from that. What's 4th. And so I just wanted to share that with
you, too. One thing I wanted to just share with them before I'd leave this evening. I'm not proud of this with the help of our city Councilor Leroy Robinson. We stopped the data center in Pike Township. Still have work to do because we're still organizing to save you a creek. And again, we're gonna work on that as well. That's our next big project they were working on. Again. I want to thank you for the opportunity and thank you for this. Want thank you. Thank you, everyone for your comments this evening. Turn this back over to our committee members. Motion on the table. And a second. Are there any further comments from members of the committee? MADAM PRESIDENT, thank Thank you, MISTER CHAIRMAN. I do just want to commit that we
will get that definition in 2 amendment before the actual final vote. So again, I thank you all for your consideration. And I do ask that you vote in favor of moving this amendment Fort. Thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN, very good. They're know for no further discussion. I would For us to vote on the amendment has put forward all those in favor. Please signify by saying Aye, any opposed Let's get a recall on the nays. Concert today. He'll need Consul heart. And then counsel Mary. 3 nays. Good. All right. And let us go ahead ask for a motion to vote on the proposal as amended. All right. Some probably moved and seconded on any comments from counselors. 2 men. But as that is vote, all those in favor. Please signify by
saying Aye, aye. Any opposed nay. Nay. That's going to roll. Call, please. Council tell MAY Council Harden a constant a. 3 nays. Good. Then we will move forward with with the defense recommendation to the full Council. AUGUST. The 10th. Is there any further comment? Anything else we need to discuss this evening from members of this committee. Ask for a motion to adjourn. Almost. So second. Are adjourned. Thank Thank you. Thank you. All.