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Proposed Data Center at 79th and Township Line Rd.

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BACKGROUND — Data centers are rapidly expanding across central Indiana, with two new projects: One is proposed in Pike Township and another in the early stages, but paused, in Decatur Township, sparking debate among local officials.

American Tower says it has submitted plans for a data center on Indianapolis’ north side in Pike Township, at 79th and Township Line Rd.

The proposed developments could be part of a larger regional trend that has seen data center projects emerge across central Indiana, including previous proposals in Franklin Township, Martindale-Brightwood and in Morgan County.

Data centers warehouse the advanced computers that power services like artificial intelligence and cloud-based storage. They consume massive amounts of electricity and water, sparking concerns about both environmental sustainability and increased utility costs.

American Tower owns phone and internet infrastructure, primarily cell phone towers, according to its website. One of its towers is already located on the proposed data center site, which is owned by a holding company for the real estate trust.

The proposed site is also surrounded mostly by unoccupied, wooded land, with residential neighborhoods on the periphery. The city’s comprehensive plan marks the proposed data center site as environmentally sensitive.

 

 

WHAT’S NEXT?
ATC Watertown has applied to rezone just over seven acres of property currently zoned for a telecommunications tower. The petition asks for it to be rezoned as a special use commercial district “to provide for a data center.”

The rezoning petition will first be heard by the city’s hearing examiner, who will recommend its approval or denial. The project’s lawyers and opponents can both speak at that hearing. The petition is currently set to be heard on Dec. 18, but the Pike Township Residents Association has filed a request to push the hearing out to Jan. 15, 2026.

The nine-member Metropolitan Development Commission will then vote on the request after considering input from the hearing examiner, Department of Metropolitan Development staff, project representatives and members of the public.

City-County councilors usually get time to speak to the Metropolitan Development Commission when it’s voting on a petition within their district. Leroy Robinson, the district’s representative, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

If the Metropolitan Development Commission approves the petition, the full City-County Council will take a final vote. Normally, the council considers all zoning petitions in a single vote, but a district’s representative can request further discussion on specific projects.

WHAT CAN I DO???

1.) Attend ALL of the public meetings and hearings (if allowed)

2.) Sign the Petition! (Below. Print up, fill out, sign, and drop off at one of the meetings or the Trustee’s office)

3.) Contact your City council Representative (Important!)

4.) Be vocal, but also informed and respectful.

Urgent Call to Action and Updates: Help Amplify our Demand for Citizens Energy to attend Wednesday’s Meeting
 
Unfortunately, American Tower Company has said that they have a sudden scheduling conflict and can’t present to the Pike Township Residents Association until January 14, the night before the project site’s Rezoning Public Hearing. We are going to reach out as Protect Pike Township to ATC in the morning to see if someone can attend virtually. Either way, we will share background about this proposed data center and share any updated information that we may have. Let’s keep up on organizing and educating our neighbors and asking our city leaders to oppose this data center!  
 
Since we do have the venue booked and have an additional pressing issue that we need to make some headway on, Protect Pike Township is launching an effort to get Citizens Energy to the meeting to discuss their plan to pipe and/or discharge water for the LEAP industrial project. 
 
Please send an email to Citizens Energy and ask your friends to take action by emailing Citizens Energy ASAP! 
 
 
You’re Invited: Protect Pike Township Community Meeting 
No decisions about us without us. 
When: Wednesday, December 10 at 7:00 
Where: New Augusta North Public Academy, Auditorium (6450 Rodebaugh Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268)
What: Pike Township is home to some of the largest forested areas in the county and beloved Eagle Creek, the source of much of our county and surrounding counties water. American Tower Company is proposing a 20,000 sq ft data center in our neighborhoods and forests. Additionally, Citizens Energy is planning to siphon millions of gallons of our drinking water from Eagle Creek and our other reservoirs for the LEAP industrial site in Lebanon, IN and we have no transparency about the current discharge plans of this waste water. We are demanding that these companies send representatives. Even if they don’t, we’re meeting and we’re making our voices heard.
 
Here’s how you can help: Email Citizens Energy NOW at CLWSP@citizensenergygroup.com and demand that a representative attends Wednesday’s meeting to provide transparency about their proposed plan to supply/discharge water for the LEAP industrial site and about the impacts on Eagle Creek. Here’s a template email: Indy area residents are demanding a public meeting to provide transparency regarding Citizens Energy’s plans to supply water to the LEAP site and regarding any discharge plans. We are asking you to attend a public meeting taking place this Wednesday, Dec 10 at 7:00 PM at New Augusta North Public Academy Auditorium to provide an overview of your plans and to answer questions from area residents. A Citizens Energy representative can email protectindy@gmail.com to confirm your participation. Share this post on facebook.com and instagram. 
 
 
Find our online petition calling on city leaders to protect our air, land, water and neighborhoods along with other resources at linktree.com/protectpiketownship