By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
LEESBURG — A packed room is expected for Wednesday’s proposed rezoning hearing that would open the door for plans to construct a data center northwest of Leesburg.
An unnamed petitioner is seeking to rezone 550 acres of farm ground made available by three landowners in hopes of constructing a data center roughly between CR 300W and 400W.
The Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission will review the plan at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Kosciusko County Courthouse.
The proposal has upset farmers worried about the growing loss of farm ground and the amount of water and electricity that would be needed to support the venture.
Nearly 200 people attended a meeting earlier this month in Clunette seeking insights into the plan and voicing strong opposition to the concept.
Interest in the proposal has only grown since that meeting and Kosciusko County Area Plan Director Matt Sandy said he expects the old courtroom of the courthouse will be packed.
“Lots of remonstrances have come in,” Sandy said, referring to calls, emails and letters to the office.
The old courtroom in the courthouse can hold a maximum of 120 people and there will be room for about 100 people for those seeking to support or oppose the plan.
Sandy said he talked with Area Plan Commission Chairman Lee Harman and that they will seek to limit comments to two minutes from each person and urge speakers not to be repetitive.
In many cases, speakers will be asked to identify themselves “and say ditto” if the previous person already summed up their thoughts.
Sandy said everyone will be given a chance to speak, but added that based on previous experience, many in the crowd will just want to learn more about the request and not address the commission.
The petitioner will be given up to about 15 minutes for a closing rebuttal, he said.
Opponents, coordinating efforts under the name, “Keep Leesburg Rural,” have organized a petition, created a Facebook page and are urging people to speak up against the plan.
The plan commission will make a recommendation to the county commissioners who have the final say on the matter.
The plan office also made available on Friday a drawing provided by the petitioner and a map from the plan office.
