The Burns Harbor Plan Commission will meet again on Sept. 9 to discuss the proposed data center after moving to a larger venue Tuesday night and still having a standing-room-only crowd. Some people sat on the floor, too.
After opening the meeting at the overflowing Town Hall meeting room, the commission and crowd walked to the fire station meeting room, which also overflowed.
The commission heard about 90 minutes of public input, along with shouts and interruptions by a testy crowd.
At the end of the meeting, commission member Gordon McCormick lashed out at town attorney Clay Patton over working with Provident Realty Advisors attorney Todd Leeth to draft a proposed ordinance to create a new zoning classification that would allow data centers and other uses in the new district.
“Are you working for them or for us?” McCormick demanded.
McCormick said he was out of town and missed the July 8 meeting where the project was introduced. He said he wanted to know more about Provident’s proposal.
“You and I met with people from Provident, so don’t act like you weren’t aware with what’s happening from Provident,” Patton said.
The ordinance, patterned after a similar one in St, Joseph County, isn’t specific to the site where Provident proposes to build a new data center. Instead, it would create a technology zoning classification that could then be used on the 100 acres by Worthington Steel – land now zoned for residential use – where Provident hopes to build the data center. The classification could also be used elsewhere.
Data centers aren’t permitted under any current zoning category, Leeth said.
Some of the concerns related to setbacks and building heights. Leeth said Provident plans to build a 120-foot-tall building, whereas the town currently has a 60-foot height limit. The fire department’s ladder truck can extend to 75 feet high.
Commission President Jeremy McHargue said he was concerned about a 12-story building with no review by the fire department. “How does our 75-foot ladder truck potentially help somebody in a 12-story office building?” he asked.
“That’s 25 feet from somebody’s house with a 12-story-tall building,” McCormick said.
“I’d be a little concerned if I had something 20, 25 feet off my back lawn,” McHargue said.
Town engineer Hesham Khalil said he had two concerns with the height – fire protection and potential failure of the building. “We are recommending a 60-feet height to allow for the two issues,” he said. Khalil recommended a 50-foot setback.
Leeth said Provident would agree not to build an office building there but still wanted a tall building. Limiting the height to 60 feet would kill the project, he said.
McHargue said there were several allegations that the town has given a green light to the proposed data center. “That’s why there’s a public hearing. I’m glad you’re all here speaking,” he said. “If you think you’re not heard, you’re wrong.”
Phyllis Constantine said her father was on the town’s first Plan Commission: “We’ve worked very hard to make this town family-oriented,” she said. “Now you’re trying to let this other company slide in here like a snake and take our property.”
“Just keep sending them down the road. Eventually, they’ll find someone stupid enough to believe them,” Constantine said.
“Move it over there to Ameriplex center. Talk to Portage. Leave us folks alone,” George Spoa said.
Annette Hansen, executive director of Izaak Walton League’s Porter County chapter, asked about the effect on migratory birds and other animals. “I’m like the Lorax over here. I’d like you to remember it’s not just the humans but all the animals as well,” she said.
Bill Herring, who lives on Castle Street, said he has served on planning commissions elsewhere. Lighting would be on every night, affecting trees. Data centers are highly secure installations. “It doesn’t belong anywhere near a residential area,” Herring said.
Sharon Hanson said she has been in the information technology industry for years, “What you have is banks and banks of servers pulling in all kinds of power, pulling in all kinds of water,” she said. “Put them out there by I-65.”
Data centers set up a contract with utilities that they will have priority for power and water, she said. Humidity and mold will be concerns.
Commission member Roseanne Bozak, who attended via Zoom, remarked on the size of the crowd. Earlier this year, the town begged people to fill open board seats.
At the town picnic last year, only three people showed up. “People only want to come to argue. Let’s be nice to each other,” she said.
“Nobody cares unless it’s something that makes them mad,” Bozak said.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
