Decatur Township residents were dealt a heavy blow as the city took its first step toward approving a data center proposal on the southwest side of Indianapolis.
The city’s hearing examiner recommended Sabey Data Centers’ proposal for approval Feb. 26, the second to last step in the process. Now, the Seattle-based organization is closer to building its largest data center yet, spanning over 1 million square feet, despite intense scrutiny from residents concerned about property values, pollution and potential health issues.
“This is a seriously flawed evaluation,” said Pat Andrews, a nearly 40-year-resident of the southwest side who chairs Decatur Township Civic Council’s land use committee. “We need an ordinance that protects the community, neighborhoods all over this county,” Andrews said.
During the meeting, Andrews asked the hearing examiner to delay her decision until Aug. 27 to allow elected officials to set data center regulations. The commissioner denied the request.
Josh Bain, the city-county councilor who represents the area, did not attend the hearing. Residents said they don’t feel supported by Bain because he hasn’t publicly opposed the project or asked Sabey to pause it.
Before the meeting, around 50 residents chanted, “Say it once, say it plain, no more games, Josh Bain,” outside of the City-County Building.
Residents from Decatur Township protest against the Sabey Data Centers proposal before the Metropolitan Development Commission’s Hearing Examiner meeting on Feb. 26, 2026, at the City-County Building in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
Southsiders hoped for the same outcome as Pike Township residents after a data center in their area was recently withdrawn. Residents urged Bain to call for a pause in the data center approval process until councilors can implement regulations.
Since Sabey is asking the city for certain zoning changes only, the proposal doesn’t need approval by the City-County Council, just the nine-member Metropolitan Development Commission.
The Metropolitan Development Commission will vote on Sabey’s petition at 1 p.m. March 18, at the City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St.
An earlier version of this story mentioned a meeting for Project Decatur Township to discuss next steps. The meeting has been canceled.
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Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.
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