Lake County Plan Commission Meeting – February 18, 2026

The Lake County Plan Commission met on February 18, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting covered several agenda items including agenda adjustments, approval of December minutes, a study session for a landscaping business rezoning, public comments on a proposed data center rezoning, two ordinance amendments for decommissioning requirements, a study session for a two-unit dwelling, and approval of site development plans. The meeting lasted over three hours.

Agenda Adjustments

• Item 25-ZC-09 (Roy W. and Sandra S. Mason zone change) was removed from the agenda due to the petitioner's failure to advertise, as required for public hearing.
• Study session item 26-SS-04 PC (Jabaay Ventures I, LLC) was moved to the beginning of the study session portion to accommodate the petitioner's other meeting obligations.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: The December 2025 meeting minutes were approved without discussion.
• Site Development Plans Approved by Staff: Three plans were acknowledged as permits issued: 25-SDP-24 PC (fiber optic booster addition for Lumen/Superior 4U, Inc.), 26-SDP-02 PC (off-premise LED advertising sign for D & F Land, LLC/Lamar Advertising), and 26-SDP-03 PC (commercial cold storage building for Joe Giannini/Milmar Buildings). No objections were raised.

Study Session – Jabaay Ventures I, LLC (26-SS-04 PC)

• Request: Owner-initiated rezoning from R-3 (One to Four-Family Dwelling) and B-2 (Rural Business Zone) to B-3 (General Business Zone) for a landscaping business, snow removal services, office use, and equipment/truck storage. The property is located at the northwest quadrant of 45th Avenue and Hayes Street, and northeast/northwest quadrants of 44th Avenue and Hayes Street in Calumet Township.
• Presentation: The petitioner's attorney explained that the property had been used for heavy equipment storage (formerly known as the Cleary property) for over two decades under the mistaken belief it was zoned B-3. A previous study session was held in April 2025, and after a survey, two parcels were missing from the legal description, necessitating a new study session. Aerial imagery from 2008, 2013, and later years showed consistent B-3-type use. The area includes many B-2 and B-3 uses along Grant Street, a truck thoroughfare.
• Commission Discussion: Commissioners noted the request fits the character of the area. No public testimony was taken as this was a study session. The commission offered favorable feedback, directing the petitioner to proceed with the rezoning application.

Public Comments & Testimony (on 26-ZC-01 – Johnson Sunnybrook Farm, LLC Data Center Rezoning)

• Tom Lincoln (16321 Colorado Street, Eagle Creek Township, 22 acres, 3.3 miles from site): Opposed the rezoning. Expressed concerns about aquifer contamination from diesel fuel, industrial chemicals, and biocides; potential dewatering of domestic wells; lack of first responder knowledge of chemicals; and the rural character of the area. He distributed written remonstrance.
• Crystal Chandler (748 Mohawk Drive): Urged the commission and public to educate themselves on data center impacts, check personal contributions to AI demand, and take action by calling representatives and attending public hearings elsewhere.
• Stephanie Barranco Lincoln (16321 Colorado Street): Opposed rezoning, stating she moved from industrial Whiting to Hebron for agricultural quality of life. She recommended repurposing existing vacant industrial land for data centers instead of rezoning farmland.
• Jim Lopez (129 Center Street, Lowell, network engineer): Opposed, noting Lowell already has power outages and water warnings. He stated data centers use more power than Hebron and Lowell combined, questioned guarantees that NIPSCO rates and infrastructure won't be strained, and requested an independent impact study.
• Unnamed resident (265 Navajo Trail, Lowell): Requested the commission not vote favorably until a thorough, good-faith assessment is conducted, and expressed concern that the petitioner's team scoffed at public input.
• John Jurzer (4103 East 217th Avenue, Eagle Creek Township, township board member, three-generation farmer): Opposed, citing cumulative industrial impacts (quarry, solar plant, cold storage) and noise. Requested reconsideration.
• Ted Watecki (17907 Colorado Street): Raised concerns that the nearby Dinwiddie 345kV substation may lack generators needed for completion, and that his well was affected by nearby construction. Asked for research before approval.
• Tom Weston (18445 Candace, Lowell, computer programmer): Opposed, mentioning NIPSCO's new remote-shutoff meters and potential rolling blackouts. He argued data centers serve AI and surveillance that drain resources.
• Pam Kokas (4804 East 181st Avenue, corner of Clay and Route 2): Opposed, citing increased semi traffic, noise, and dust from existing industrial uses near her home.
• Ryan Timer (16190 Clay Street, electrical contractor for data centers): Spoke as a resource for residents but stated he does not want the data center in his backyard. He recommended using industrial land further north for revitalization.
• Terry Steagle (spoke during general public comment later): Encouraged the commission to add green space corridors, fence-line air and noise monitors, and a dedicated website for compliance data to future data center ordinances.

Discussion Items – Data Center Rezoning (26-ZC-01 PC)

• The petitioner (Sentinel Data Centers) presented the project via a slide presentation: rezoning ~160 acres from Agricultural (A-1) to Light Industrial (M-1) to build a hyperscale data center campus (~500 MW capacity). Key claims: $5B investment, 2,500+ construction job years, 250+ permanent jobs, air-cooled design with minimal water usage, low traffic impact (mostly cars), full noise ordinance compliance, and proximity to the existing Dinwiddie 345kV substation. The project is near other industrial uses (solar farm, concrete plant, battery storage, NIPSCO substation, quarry, etc.).
• After public comments, the petitioner's representative, David Westland, proposed holding one or more public forums (town hall style) to answer questions and requested a deferral to allow time for such meetings. Commissioner Tippy and others supported the idea, with Commissioner Tippy offering to use the county auditorium.
• Motion to defer: Passed by a vote of 5-1. The item will automatically appear on the next month's agenda; no re-advertisement is required for the public hearing, but the public forum will be advertised separately. The Commission emphasized transparency and community engagement.

Key Outcomes – Ordinance Amendments

• Ordinance to Amend BESS Regulations (Battery Energy Storage Systems): Adding a requirement for abandonment and decommissioning plans, including surety bonds updated every five years. Passed favorably to County Council by voice vote (all ayes).
• Ordinance to Amend Data Center Regulations: Adding specification for decommissioning plan requirements (previously only required a plan without criteria). Includes 15-month inactivity trigger for decommissioning, restoration to pre-development conditions or repurposing, and surety bond updates. Passed favorably to County Council by voice vote (all ayes).

Study Session – Danielle Rhinehart (26-SS-03 PC)

• Request: Special Exception for a two-unit house (duplex) on an A-1 zoned property greater than one acre at 11880 White Oak Street, Hanover Township. Petitioner seeks to build an addition to her existing home to create accessible living space for her elderly parents.
• Discussion: The petitioner explained that her parents are in their 70s with medical issues and can no longer maintain their home. A standard 590 sq. ft. addition is too small. Staff noted that A-1 zoning allows a duplex via special exception, which is a better path than a variance for size. Commissioners were supportive, noting the use as in-law quarters. The commissioner asked about future rental potential, and it was clarified that the owner may rent the second unit if she occupies one.
• Outcome: The study session concluded favorably; the petitioner was encouraged to proceed with the special exception application.

General Public Comment

• Terry Steagle (continued from earlier): Emphasized the need for green space corridors, pollinator habitats, and environmental buffers in large-scale development. He also suggested requiring fence-line air and noise monitors with public data access.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned after a motion and second.

Key Outcomes Summary

• Deferred: 26-ZC-01 (Johnson Sunnybrook Farm data center rezoning) – deferred to allow public forums; vote 5-1.
• Favorable Recommendation to County Council: BESS decommissioning ordinance and Data Center decommissioning ordinance (both unanimous).
• Favorable Direction: Jabaay Ventures rezoning study session – proceed with application.
• Favorable Direction: Danielle Rhinehart special exception study session – proceed with application.
• Approved as Listed: Site development plans (three items).