OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Approves Data Center Moratorium and Flood Fee Waiver – August 19, 2026

Metropolitan Development Commission — Wednesday, August 19, 2026
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionMetropolitan Development Commission
DateWednesday, August 19, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 59:18
Transcript — Verbatim
1:06

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

1:08

Welcome to the Metropolitan Development Commission meeting of August 19, 2026.

1:14

We have a quorum.

1:15

Would you please rise and join me with the Pledge of Allegiance?

1:42

Thank you.

1:42

Going to the agenda, we have two sets of minutes to address as we reviewed the July 15th, 2026 minutes, and we need to vote on the August 5th, 2026 minutes.

1:55

Commissioner Robinson, you're recused on the July 15th minutes.

2:02

Have all uh had an opportunity to review those, and we have any additions or deletions to the July 15, 2026.

2:14

Thank you, Commissioner.

2:16

Any additions or deletions to the July 15th, 2026 meeting?

2:21

Commissioner Murphy, can I get a motion to approve?

2:24

So moved.

2:25

Commissioner Lyle, can I get a second?

2:27

Second.

2:28

Let me call the roll.

2:30

Lyle.

2:31

Lyle, yes.

2:33

Murphy.

2:34

Murphy, yes.

2:34

Robinson.

2:36

Yeah, Robinson's recused.

2:38

Schumacher.

2:38

Schumacher, yes.

2:40

West.

2:41

West, yes.

2:42

Dylan is a yes.

2:43

They pass.

2:44

Five to zero with one recusal.

2:48

Moving forward, you had an opportunity to review the August 5th, 2026 minutes.

2:53

Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes?

2:58

Commissioner Schumacher, I will show you recused.

3:01

Commissioner Lyle, can I get a motion to approve the August 5th, 2026 minutes?

3:06

So moved.

3:07

Commissioner Robinson, can I get a second?

3:09

Second.

3:10

Call the roll.

3:11

Lyle.

3:12

Lyle, yes.

3:13

Murphy.

3:14

Murphy, yes.

3:15

Robinson.

3:16

Robinson, yes.

3:18

West.

3:19

West, yes.

3:21

Dylan is a yes.

3:23

They pass five to zero with one recusal.

3:28

Moving forward.

3:30

Are there any withdrawals, special requests?

3:34

Continuances.

3:42

Good afternoon, President Dillon, members of the commission.

3:45

Kathy Battle with the economic consent team.

3:48

I am here to bring attention to agenda item number five, two zero two six A 016 and agenda item six, two zero two six A017 with a request for a continuance to the September 16th.

4:04

Uh hearing date.

4:19

Thank you.

4:21

Any questions from members of the commission?

4:25

Anyone else have a comment or in the audience today on this two requests for continuances?

4:35

Seeing none with the understanding at this time, we'll continue this till September 16th, or I'll ask for a vote for September 16th.

4:47

But I count that as number two in line because Savey's ready to go.

5:01

So Sebe will go on the 16th.

5:03

Your pushback if that happens.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Data Center Regulation████████████████████████████████████████40%
Procedural███████████████████████████27%
Zoning and Land Use█████████9%
Economic Development████████8%
Flood Management███████7%
Legal and Liability██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting – August 19, 2026

[Introductory paragraph]

The Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) convened on August 19, 2026, for its regular meeting. Key actions included approval of minutes, continuances of several agenda items, an emergency resolution to waive fees for flood recovery, approvals of routine resolutions, a hearing on a regional center zoning petition that was continued with an early permit release, and the adoption of an amended ordinance implementing a moratorium on data center development through December 31, 2027.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval: The commission approved minutes from July 15, 2026 (5–0, one recusal) and August 5, 2026 (5–0, one recusal).
  • Resolutions: Six resolutions were approved (2026 R024–R027 and related IEDI recommendations). Five passed 6–0; resolution 2026 R026 (sale of property at 1322 Columbia) passed 5–0 with Commissioner Murphy recused.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Elder Amoja Ajabu (PO box 2696, Indianapolis): During the continuance request for the Metro Block Data Center, Mr. Ajabu submitted documentation to the secretary, stating his name and address for the record.
  • Public Comment on Data Center Moratorium: One audience member expressed support for the moratorium but argued it "doesn't go far enough" and raised health concerns about existing data centers. The president directed the speaker to the moratorium topic.
  • City‑County Councillor Dan Boots (District 3): Spoke in favor of the moratorium, stating the council voted 23–1 for it, calling it "an important tool" to pause and study data center regulation.
  • City‑County Councillor (Councilor Hart): Opposed the moratorium, arguing the city is capable of "walking and chewing gum at the same time," and that existing standards provide a starting point that can be enhanced through commitments. He noted he was the sole vote against the moratorium in council.

Discussion Items

  • Continuances – Metro Block Data Centers (2026 A016 and 2026 A017): Staff requested continuances to September 16, 2026, to resolve pending matters. The commission approved both continuances (6–0), with the understanding that if matters are not resolved, they may be moved again.
  • Continuance – 1305 Broad Ripple Avenue (2026 ZON 060): The petitioner requested a continuance to October 21, 2026, to address design issues and neighborhood concerns. Staff had no objection. Approved (6–0) without notice.
  • Emergency Walk‑On Resolution – Flood Fee Waiver (2026 P009): Director Abby Brands presented an emergency resolution to waive ILP and flood‑related fees under MDC’s authority following a historic flood event. The commission added the resolution to the agenda (6–0) and immediately approved it (6–0).
  • Regional Center Zoning Petition – No Appeal (2026 REG 015): Staff described design improvements made through iterative meetings with the developer: enhanced storefronts with public art, refined material palette, increased masonry, rooftop amenity space, Juliet balconies, refined paint colors, metal screening for parking garage, and a 20‑foot access easement for Pogues Run. The petitioner (TWG Development) requested approval. Commissioner Lyle requested a continuance to review plans. The parties agreed to continue the matter to September 2, 2026, with an early conditional release of permits to allow the developer to proceed with permitting while the commission reviews the plans. The commission approved this arrangement (6–0).
  • Data Center Moratorium Ordinance Amendment (2026 AO001 amended): Bryce Patts presented the amendment passed by the City‑County Council on August 10, 2026. The amendment replaces previously approved data center regulations with a moratorium on new data center development until December 31, 2027, and requires staff to develop regulations with expert and community input. The definition of data centers was adjusted to exclude certain utility and communication facilities. Discussion centered on the scope of the moratorium regarding three previously approved data centers. Staff and the MDC attorney confirmed that state vested‑rights law (IC 36‑7‑4‑1109) protects those projects. The commission voted 6–0 to approve the amendment as submitted.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes Approved: July 15 and August 5 minutes passed (5–0, one recusal each).
  • Continuances Granted:
    • 2026 A016 and 2026 A017 (Metro Block Data Centers) continued to September 16, 2026 (6–0).
    • 2026 ZON 060 (Broad Ripple) continued to October 21, 2026 (6–0).
  • Emergency Flood Fee Waiver Approved: 2026 P009, waiving ILP and flood‑related fees, approved immediately (6–0).
  • Resolutions Approved: Six resolutions passed, with R026 passing 5–0 (one recusal).
  • Regional Center Petition (2026 REG 015): Continued to September 2, 2026, with early conditional release of permits (6–0).
  • Data Center Moratorium Adopted: Ordinance amendment 2026 AO001 amended approved (6–0). The commission cannot amend the language; it was approved as submitted by the City‑County Council.

Meeting Transcript

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the Metropolitan Development Commission meeting of August 19, 2026. We have a quorum. Would you please rise and join me with the Pledge of Allegiance? Thank you. Going to the agenda, we have two sets of minutes to address as we reviewed the July 15th, 2026 minutes, and we need to vote on the August 5th, 2026 minutes. Commissioner Robinson, you're recused on the July 15th minutes. Have all uh had an opportunity to review those, and we have any additions or deletions to the July 15, 2026. Thank you, Commissioner. Any additions or deletions to the July 15th, 2026 meeting? Commissioner Murphy, can I get a motion to approve? So moved. Commissioner Lyle, can I get a second? Second. Let me call the roll. Lyle. Lyle, yes. Murphy. Murphy, yes. Robinson. Yeah, Robinson's recused. Schumacher. Schumacher, yes. West. West, yes. Dylan is a yes. They pass. Five to zero with one recusal. Moving forward, you had an opportunity to review the August 5th, 2026 minutes. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Commissioner Schumacher, I will show you recused. Commissioner Lyle, can I get a motion to approve the August 5th, 2026 minutes? So moved. Commissioner Robinson, can I get a second? Second. Call the roll. Lyle. Lyle, yes. Murphy. Murphy, yes. Robinson. Robinson, yes. West. West, yes. Dylan is a yes. They pass five to zero with one recusal. Moving forward. Are there any withdrawals, special requests? Continuances. Good afternoon, President Dillon, members of the commission.

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