[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6102577,"mediaKeyId","2803881-225cf76aa1473bbab8974c33686b5cae","parentId",2803881,"title","Residents voice sharp concerns about proposed data center near Wheeler schools; planning process, due process explained","audioSeconds",225,"startMs",1412000,"endMs",1637000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803881-225cf76aa1473bbab8974c33686b5cae&start=1412&end=1637","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803881-225cf76aa1473bbab8974c33686b5cae/thumbnail_1412000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6102577/Porter-County/Indiana/Residents-voice-sharp-concerns-about-proposed-data-center-near-Wheeler-schools-planning-process-due-process-explained","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102577-bdb478cf8128f06abad35450a0d408c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770414330&Signature=FLj8XUx~9nwmoE3ysd6IJPK1LIplnUjjX6PII3Olw7zolYent0v3GT4ElyqxZWjHjStutGSVw0GN9LNKBfXxDlposeZsY17vH4dQYabxA3ZFRoFmlzSGlIV9MhX3aOH3FbQQ8Vn~tWdHc6uyI8-AfkNXAQ7h~DrGt6ZFYUSJAo~cWmO6~mTBzfJ3bUI9oxs6O7kbnbqp5iNwqFVjlH9gBTdygVYjTqObOi45WepiFkiX2oCmpFxb0VBYRjCXCUXZxJsFifc3MRZnJj8dnX4a-yahznVoDkqjyFrLvqZXhjEB3XBUMpvzYkvVyMzKFX43To~DfJ7V-0tx30sSVvKZvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Porter County IN","date","2025-03-28T04:46:14.19Z","article","Dozens of residents and one school representative used the Redevelopment Commission's public comment period March 25 to press county leaders for scrutiny of a proposed rezoning to allow a data center near Union Township/Wheeler Middle and High School.

John Hunter, representing Union Township Schools, told the commission the district was \"concerned about the cons, specifically from a school standpoint\" and asked the county to \"have the same considerations about why you would want to put a data center that close to a school.\" He cited traffic, noise, emissions, and the large electricity and water demands of hyperscale data centers as factors the school district wants considered.

County planning executive director Mike Jabo explained the formal process: \"It was a landowner who put in a petition to change the zoning of their land... it has to go through a step process according to our Unified Development Ordinance...the first stop is of course our office... When it's fully vetted... it goes to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission is the only one that will hear that initially.\" He emphasized that the Planning Commission makes recommendations to the county commissioners and that any financial incentives (TIF, abatements) would come later if requested.

County attorney Scott (appearing in his role as county counsel) told the audience the county cannot unilaterally \"kill\" a petition before the process starts: \"We all, as American citizens, have due process... everyone... can request or apply for a given request. In this case, it's a rezone... the county doesn't have any individual authority to stop a petitioner or a landowner for making a request. It's incumbent upon the county to process that request, fully and legally... and have the board make the decision.\" When a resident asked whether the county could \"pause\" the process, the attorney replied, \"I guess the easy answer is no. We can't pause.\"

Residents who spoke raised recurring concerns: proximity to schools, transparency and access to information, potential tax abatements or TIF incentives and their effect on school finances, noise and generator use, water and power demand, and a perceived pattern of large developers seeking incentives. One resident said the company in question is large and likely to seek subsidies and predicted that if incentives are granted and operations later close or scale down, the long-term community benefits may be limited.

Several residents described neighborhood impacts if large-scale industrial buildings and 50-foot-high structures are allowed near small residential parcels. Amy Herring, a nearby resident, said, \"It is the best community that you could ever possibly live in. You're not a number. You are a name,\" and said she would consider moving if a hyperscale data center were built near her home and her child's school.

Commission leadership acknowledged the community's concerns and asked the public to participate in the upcoming Planning Commission hearings and other scheduled public meetings. Chair Jim Biggs noted the County Commissioners will ultimately hear certain decisions and said his office contact information is available for questions.

Ending: Planning staff said a completed application must be deemed complete by staff before a Planning Commission hearing is scheduled; residents were told the process includes public notice and hearings at both the Planning Commission and, if applicable, the County Commissioners' level.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Porter County Redevelopment Commission - March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents and a school representative asked Porter County leaders to scrutinize a proposed rezoning for a hyperscale data center near Wheeler Middle and High School, citing traffic, noise, emissions, and potential effects on school finances.","taxTitle","Porter County, Indiana","taxId",12891,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6102582,"RDC moves regular meetings to second Thursday at 4:30 p.m. for 2025",133,1241000,1374000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803881-225cf76aa1473bbab8974c33686b5cae&start=1241&end=1374","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803881-225cf76aa1473bbab8974c33686b5cae/thumbnail_1241000.jpg","/articles/6102582/Porter-County/Indiana/RDC-moves-regular-meetings-to-second-Thursday-at-430-pm-for-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102582-84992288f610e5016c0c5c9214d38283/orig.mp4?Expires=1770414330&Signature=fObJ68yNhpXDFl0NUGez9JgmATJQIAo1jHqH82lJ-ZSXA80SXx~aPPMcC3dZvGlBQREtfEdiSQfc9Jg7cZ~yaJ9p1jkxpcwsDNFauFs3vFKFlrE46z2z1X72CnwZF5LKXkXifLkJoBZ~GbuT1lswWx39o2ynn3A4qw3Uthw5CQTxxVe6y8FhxX4GKysBPzCkFS5KkodoJt0wXwLdQxQS7fPE3i6Cnrka4Jc~PEyuYSCobhkS268RCDVdJNrqk6p9emThRnfX-NdrqN~vn0m60i11qdWp5nti9jNkQl5uhw15ILn1f6AjJAtLkHervcosWd48qXRJEFXDJRz523vhNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Porter County Redevelopment Commission on March 25 voted to move its regular monthly meeting time to the second Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m. for the remainder of calendar year 2025.

Commissioners discussed recurring scheduling conflicts with county council and foundation meetings, and staff presented several alternative days and times available for the meeting room. A motion to set the second Thursday at 4:30 p.m. for each month in 2025 was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Commissioners noted the change was proposed to reduce overlap with other boards and to make it easier for members and public participants to attend. Staff said they would update the published schedule to reflect the new meeting date and time.

Ending: The commission adopted the new date/time schedule and asked staff to publish the calendar for the rest of 2025.","The Porter County Redevelopment Commission voted to change its regular monthly meeting date to the second Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m. for the calendar year 2025 to reduce scheduling conflicts with other county meetings.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6102586,"RDC approves one-year as-needed contract with Barnes & Thornburg for special counsel",105,1034000,1139000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803881-225cf76aa1473bbab8974c33686b5cae&start=1034&end=1139","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803881-225cf76aa1473bbab8974c33686b5cae/thumbnail_1034000.jpg","/articles/6102586/Porter-County/Indiana/RDC-approves-one-year-as-needed-contract-with-Barnes-Thornburg-for-special-counsel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102586-f9d4fab52fa233a83828f8dd134584a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770414330&Signature=bpJmWU4GvpnGgzhd1cF5vCRnidfrQXzlFyXXpwpx30mgdaP6pkscqdGVuvKoBWoSlPJFW8jJS9iGVv0PZuZ56WuGp4fjDAS92uoqwrfAx6RW5H9tLiaEXQcY17aW0Q1ybRzSlOC0qcMRcaqSUCP3brLH94M5Gg9CXbZ1ljrBAVgEWLjhQFK~CbQHPFXilFBuQHnyBCdSiOI838fkD8kY~2Lf7gLgZJTLbztX3yUUkWkxQofE0~mffdZ72z1A2WTkVeCO5JPlLU5dVy7d7Jf5KiHcHKF27h2eE6RXdn6294tCTGCqgLF4hb4BQCr1hv5lX8OlCdHiSR4YZ6VEY1RZTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Porter County Redevelopment Commission on March 25 approved a one-year, as-needed professional services agreement with Barnes & Thornburg LLP for special counsel services, with the contract described as available to supplement county counsel on tax increment financing and redevelopment matters.

Commission staff said the agreement is an as-needed contract to bring Barnes & Thornburg attorneys, specifically Tom Pittman, when regional expertise on TIF allocation areas and similar redevelopment issues is required. \"This is an as needed contract only when needed to supplement current council,\" a staff presenter said. The board described the engagement as standard procedure to obtain outside counsel expertise on complex redevelopment matters.

Commissioners asked whether the contract covered a single year; staff confirmed it was a one-year, on-call agreement. The board moved and seconded the motion and approved the contract by voice vote; during the vote one commissioner announced an abstention and the chair declared the motion approved.

The agreement was described as intended to be used sparingly and at the board's direction to provide specialized legal work on issues such as TIF allocation areas; no detailed fee schedule was presented during the meeting but staff said the contract would be used only when needed.

Ending: The commission approved the contract and will engage Barnes & Thornburg only as required to supplement in-house counsel on redevelopment legal matters.","The Porter County RDC voted to contract Barnes & Thornburg LLP for as-needed special counsel services in 2025 to supplement county counsel on TIF and redevelopment matters; the one-year contract passed with one commissioner abstaining.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6102591,"Porter County RDC approves 2024 annual report, confirms South Haven TIF details",592,313000,905000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803881-225cf76aa1473bbab8974c33686b5cae&start=313&end=905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803881-225cf76aa1473bbab8974c33686b5cae/thumbnail_313000.jpg","/articles/6102591/Porter-County/Indiana/Porter-County-RDC-approves-2024-annual-report-confirms-South-Haven-TIF-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102591-b5af8a4cd99e2a31cbc45b95cdcedb68/orig.mp4?Expires=1770414330&Signature=HaoOVVd28p6Du404BFcqLoBy4flmHYcUcVD58u4N0yeO0hD2cT0bj9p1cPILqCvVWiJWmCuwmiJPAn5xP25phLBRa0gCQGE-Pqg-5NolvV5sDlqL-um2cy~hgeDcNuWuZknm~mRz9siCs73Dqs8mF8PffL1llJG8k40x8fWHavsh0NNTAlJ0MDt3CEK9Ej2ngjrvpKdZiUQVZaPcMHQ8-LAA7thj8icschAfmM7-~TnhUfQEc4QUdNlmmhZZbI6Uo5yEbMNZRqrDNpdq01gMqknhJMbJpZheQjWtyEIEjpsJ6WpKtheWijhyabgtn8cmP~vQ9nNlRNJU7fHqREHvVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Porter County Redevelopment Commission on March 25 approved its 2024 annual report and directed staff to upload the document to the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) gateway for TIF management.

The report, presented by consultant Dan Bodich, covers the statutory items listed in IC 36-7-14-15 and provides the commission's fiscal balances, professional services spending, and a summary of the South Haven allocation area identified as TIF number 18.

Dan Bodich summarized the report and the statutory requirements: \"Is the 2024 annual report of the redevelopment commission? It is required under IC 36 dash 7 dash 14 section 15 by April 15.\" He told commissioners the filing includes names of commissioners and officers, employee and compensation information, expenditures and their purposes, tax increment accounting, and funds on hand at year-end.

Bodich said the redevelopment general fund recorded receipts of $1,382,505, capital expenditures of $184,954, and an ending balance of $1,197,550. He said the South Haven allocation area (TIF #18) had receipts recorded in the year and that the commission had pledged $957.77 for a South Haven TIF school grant program (which he said had not been issued to a school corporation as of the report). Exhibit B in the report lists 114 parcels with a gross assessed value of $22,500,000 and a net assessed value after exemptions of $20,101,000; the redevelopment captured increment reported was $696,608.

Bodich identified Mike Jabo as the commission's acting staff contact and thanked the county auditor, Dave Wyshlinski, and Susan Hale for assembling the financial backup. He also described the commission's 2024 goals, including creation of the Porter County Redevelopment Commission Business Council, outreach with economic development organizations, attendance and sponsorship of the Veil Summit 2024, and engagement of MKSK Inc. for the county land-use and transportation plan update.

Chair Jim Biggs called for a motion to approve the annual report. The commission voted to approve; commissioners voiced \"aye\" and the chair declared the motion approved. Bodich said the report is not required to be approved by resolution but will be uploaded to the DLGF gateway for public viewing and to satisfy statutory requirements.

The commission noted next steps: staff will prepare the statutorily required capture notice due June 15 and an overlapping taxing unit presentation normally prepared in May for distribution to affected taxing units.

Ending: The commission moved on to other agenda items after approving the report and confirming the administrative steps to file the document with state systems.","The Porter County Redevelopment Commission on March 25 approved its required 2024 annual report, detailing fund balances, a South Haven allocation area (TIF #18) and next steps to file the report with the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance gateway.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents voice sharp concerns about proposed data center near Wheeler schools; planning process, due process explained

RDC moves regular meetings to second Thursday at 4:30 p.m. for 2025

RDC approves one-year as-needed contract with Barnes & Thornburg for special counsel

Porter County RDC approves 2024 annual report, confirms South Haven TIF details