Decatur Township data center receives initial OK despite neighbors' protests

Planning official recommends approval for 250-megawatt, two-building facility on 130-acre site

Feb. 27, 2026 at 4:53am

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An Indianapolis planning official has recommended approval for a zoning modification that would allow developers to proceed with a 250-megawatt, two-building data center facility on a 130-acre site in Decatur Township, despite protests from neighboring residents.

Why it matters

The data center project has faced opposition from nearby residents who are concerned about potential noise, traffic, and environmental impacts on the surrounding community. However, the planning official's recommendation suggests the project is likely to move forward, underscoring the growing demand for data infrastructure in the region.

The details

The proposed data center facility would be built on a 130-acre site in Decatur Township, just southwest of Indianapolis. The two-building complex would have a total capacity of 250 megawatts, making it a significant addition to the local tech infrastructure. While the planning official has recommended approval, the project still requires final zoning approval from the Indianapolis City-County Council.

  • The planning official's recommendation was made on Thursday, February 27, 2026.
  • The Indianapolis City-County Council is expected to vote on the zoning modification in the coming weeks.

The players

Indianapolis Planning Official

The unnamed Indianapolis planning official who recommended approval for the zoning modification to allow the data center project to proceed.

Decatur Township Residents

Neighboring residents who have protested the data center project due to concerns about noise, traffic, and environmental impacts.

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What’s next

The Indianapolis City-County Council is expected to vote on the zoning modification for the data center project in the coming weeks, which will determine whether the project can move forward.

The takeaway

The planning official's recommendation for the data center project highlights the growing demand for data infrastructure in the Indianapolis region, but also underscores the need to balance economic development with the concerns of local residents who may be impacted by such projects.