Munster Town Council members aren’t thinking about putting a data center within its limits right now, but they would like to reserve the right to change their minds.
At its Tuesday meeting, the Munster Plan Commission will consider allowing the developer of the proposed Kenmara Technology Park to amend its planned-use development agreement to include data centers as a special exception use, the town announced on social media Friday. The developer is also seeking to establish “bulk, density, design and process standards” within the PUD, the announcement said.
The initial ordinance, approved in November for the Indiana portion of the former Lansing Country Club property at the southwest corner of Fisher Street, Timrick Drive and Manor Avenue, currently allows advanced computing, biotechnology sans “human cloning or stem cell research with embryonic tissue,” electronic device technology, engineering or laboratory testing related to the development of a product, technology “that assists in the assessment or prevention of threats or damage to human health or the environment,” medical device technology, product research and development. and advanced vehicles technology among the businesses allowed in it. The development agreement itself was signed in July 2023, according to the ordinance.
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While the council is aware of the community’s concerns surrounding data centers and doesn’t want to inflict harm, it also doesn’t want to leave what could be transformative amounts of money for the community and its residents on the table, Council President Joe Hofferth, R-2, told the Post-Tribune. But all that’s happening now is a developer conducting his due diligence, and he emphasized that there’s nothing over which to panic at this point.
“I think everyone on the council is very much undecided (about data centers), Hofferth said. “I’ve lived here for 58 years, and I’m not looking to do anything but good for this town, but I want to make my own decision. Whether we do consider one, the town will be able to put together a list of demands to protect and take care of Munster.”
Some residents, however, aren’t appeased. One resident, Bill Craft, asked for the council to “do your job” and “stop lying” on the social media announcement, which had racked up more than 100 comments by Saturday.
“As someone who will be directly affected by whatever is developed in my back yard (sic), my main concerns are noise and utility infrastructure. Our water lines were replaced a few years ago, and the water pressure in my home has dropped significantly. How much water will be required for cooling, and will they tap off the existing (and already overtaxed) water main or will they have another source that won’t further decrease the homeowner’s water supply?” he wrote. “The power in our neighborhood is horribly unreliable, so much so that I currently have 2 7,000-watt generators in my garage. Will NIPSCO finally correct this issue or is it going to be more of the same? … will there be limits to ambient noise generated by this development? What are the penalties for violation? I’ve noticed that the South Shore line has audible alarms at the crossing on Fisher that are loud enough to be heard from my house at the corner of Timrick and Moraine.
“I seriously question the reliability and validity of anything our town’s politicians sell us. Especially when there are known, ongoing and unresolved problems that do not get addressed.”
Another resident, Sofia Huizar-Leick, warned others to pay attention to what the ordinance could allow in the future.
“We don’t need any more manufacturing in Munster. Keep in mind, manufacturing zones allow for all kinds of uses such as semi repair and all types of other uses that contaminate the land,” she said. “Look at all the abandoned facilities in Gary. It’s hugely expensive to remediate a contaminated parcel.”
The Munster Plan Commission meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 9 at Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Rd., immediately after the 6 p.m. Board of Zoning Appeals meeting. The Plan Commission won’t be taking comments about the Kenmara PUD at the meeting, but there will be a public hearing on the matter at 7 p.m. July 14, also at Town Hall.
In a separate matter, the Plan Commission will also take up at the meeting a proposed unified development ordinance that would combine traditional zoning and subdivision regulations with other regulations into one document. That portion will be a public hearing, so public comment is encouraged; if the commission acts on the ordinance, the Town Council will vote on it at its July 6 meeting.
Written comments may also be emailed to [email protected] by 4 p.m. on the day of the public hearing to be included in the official record. All meetings will be streamed live, and recordings will be made available afterward at https://munsterin.portal.civicclerk.com/, according to the release.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.