Hancock County, IN - 6/9/2026 Special Meeting - Citizens' Committee on Data Center Siting

The Hancock County Area Plan Commission Citizens Advisory Committee on Data Center Siting held a special meeting on June 9, 2026, to discuss zoning and regulatory considerations for data center development in the county. The meeting featured a detailed presentation by Charlie Nichols, Planning Director of Linn County, Iowa, who shared insights on zoning tools, environmental impacts, and infrastructure demands associated with data centers. Key procurement-related topics included the use of zoning fees to fund third-party consultant reviews, development agreements to ensure fiscal contributions from data center projects, and the need for detailed development plans and impact studies covering power, water usage, noise, and construction traffic. The committee also discussed potential zoning classifications, development guidelines, and the importance of balancing industrial growth with agricultural land preservation. A motion was passed to approve the minutes from the previous meeting, and the committee planned to continue refining zoning and development criteria for data centers in future meetings.