Annexation plans for Fort Wayne data center clear hurdle
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Plans to annex more than 700 acres of land into the city of Fort Wayne are moving forward. Our partners at WPTA-TV report the Allen County Plan Commission on Thursday approved the annexation, which is part of an effort by an unnamed Fortune 100 company to build a new data center campus on the property.
The city announced the annexation proposal last month. The land located southeast of the city would be used as part of Project Zodiac and covers about 900 acres, 728 of which are part of the annexation area.
Attorney Tom Trent represents DMI FW LLC, which is the applicant for Project Zodiac said Thursday that he couldn’t name the company, but it is headquartered in the U.S. and operates data centers around the world.
The company plans to invest nearly $850 million and create about 30 jobs. Trent said, however, that the project could ultimately lead to $3-$4 billion investment, according to WPTA.
But many residents have expressed opposition to the project, citing concerns over noise levels, environmental impacts and increased traffic.
“It’s all about the bucks,” one resident told WPTA. “It’s gonna be us residents, some of us who have been in our area for many generations, we’re going to be sacrificed on the altar of the almighty buck.”
The Fort Wayne City Council approved the annexation plan last week. The city’s plan commission is set to vote on the proposal on Monday. If approved, it will then go to the Allen County Commissioners for consideration.
In addition to the annexation, the company is seeking waivers allowing for a maximum ornamental fence height of up to eight feet, as well as a waiver of a county ordinance that restricts such structures to no more than 40 feet. Plans for the data center call for 75-foot-tall structure.
Once the annexation is complete, the land would also need to be rezoned.
When the project was first announced, Mayor Tom Henry told Inside INdiana Business the effort would have a major impact on the city.
“They’re prepared to invest a considerable amount of money in the city of Fort Wayne,” Henry said. “Obviously, if it presents itself, a number a buildings will be built, construction jobs will be developed and, of course, their own workforce, which is up to them to develop.”
City leaders said the company couldn’t be named “due to the competitive nature of their industry.”