Protect our Community:
Oppose 343 Acre Industrial Server Farm (“Tech Park”) near Flatwoods
PROJECT STOPPED: SEE LATEST BELOW
Irresponsible zoning decisions and rushed development plans threaten our unique community
LATEST NEWS - Last Updated Monday, December 16, 2024
Canceled: Planned 343-acre Ellettsville tech park not going to happen
The developer has backed out of the project, despite the annexations and rezoning of the property. While Mr. Bowlen and his unnamed partners did not share their reasons, it’s hard not to conclude that our suspicions were correct and that they realized that public opposition to a server farm would only grow louder. Thank you to everyone who spoke up, who shared concerns with officials, who let others know about the threat to our community. We’ve proven that, working together, we can make a difference.
Unfortunately, comments made in the article by an Ellettsville town council member remind us that our work is not done:
"Overall it doesn't change the plan" (No matter how flawed the process or unpopular the proposal, our thinking won't be changed)
“Short-term it’ll sting, but long-term it will not” (Community concerns and opposition were just temporary annoyances and not legitimate concerns)
“I don’t think it’ll be vacant for long" (Any development is inherently better than farmland and rural spaces, no matter the impact)
In short, as stated by so many movie villains: "You may have won for now, but I'll get you next time!"
We must continue to be vigilant and seek accountability and transparency from local officials.
Stay tuned for further updates and opportunities for involvement as we make plans for HARP’s long-term future.
October 29, 2024 Update
ELLETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL APPROVES INDUSTRIAL REZONE: Last night, on a 3-0 vote (with 2 members absent), the Ellettsville Town Council voted to approve the Industrial Rezone of 343 acres adjacent to Flatwoods Park. This despite being warned of the procedural irregularities in the timing of the Plan Commission's consideration of the issue and the even more problematic substantive issues: internal emails show that town officials knew about the proposed project before the latest annexation was brought before the Plan Commission or Town Council, and yet nothing was disclosed at those meetings about the project. How can Commission and Council members make informed decisions without all of the facts? This did not appear to concern the Council last night, however, as no one responded to the question. Instead, speed seemed to be the top concern. Why?
We’re not done yet. Stay tuned for news of additional actions, and in the meantime, continue to reach out to Ellettsville town officials, as well as Monroe County commissioners, council members, and department officials.
October 25, 2024 Update
We received a collection of documents from the Ellettsville Planning Department (thank you) in response to our APRA request regarding the rezone application. Read them here.
The documents raise the following questions for us, but you may have your own, and we encourage you to pose them to the Town Council and other town officials:
1. The earliest email is from August 9 and it already mentions the project and discussions with Hoosier Energy. How early did town officials know about the plans and why wasn’t it discussed publicly sooner?
2. Who are the other individuals on the emails about the rezone – what is their connection to the proposal? How will they benefit from it?
3. Why was the property annexed with agricultural zoning in September (with no discussion) if town officials already knew about the developer’s plans?
4. If town officials knew about these plans, why didn’t they tell the Plan Commission or Town Council members when they presented the proposals for annexation and rezone? (Watch the videos of the September 4, 2024 Plan Commission and September 9, 2024 Town Council meetings for confirmation - links start at the relevant point.)
5. Why was the planning report on the rezone dated earlier than the rezone application itself?
6. What was discussed at the September 30 meeting between the developers and the town manager and head of planning?
7. Is it normal for the planning department to send preview copies of their reports and presentation notes to developers before the public meeting?
8. Above all, did the community have a fair opportunity to be informed and participate in the process or were meetings, discussions, and negotiations happening behind closed doors and then put into action before anyone outside of the main players knew what was really going on?
The rezone is on the agenda for the Town Council Meeting this Monday, October 28, 2024. It’s our position that legally the issue must go before the Ellettsville Plan Commission again before it can be taken up by the Town Council. Contact town officials asking that they reject the Industrial Rezone entirely or at least return it to the Plan Commission for further discussion.
Most importantly, plan to attend the October 28 Town Council meeting at 6:30 pm. If you’re unable to attend in person, there is a Zoom link.
Follow our Facebook Page for the most up-to-date information and new articles/resources, and share our posts.
Why This Matters
Irresponsible Development
The rezoning will convert 343 acres of agricultural land into industrial use, threatening the community's character and environment. The Ellettsville Planning Department devoted only ten sentences to justify a drastic rezone of 10% of the town.
Community Sidelined
Public input has been sidelined—decisions are being rushed with minimal public notice and without any effort to engage community members in a decision that will have consequences for generations to come.
Server Farms are Blight
The project has been pitched as a “tech park,” but it’s clear from the little detail available that multi-acre warehouse server farms are the intent. Outside developers see an opportunity to use our community’s natural resources to enrich themselves and saddle us with the burdens and little to show for it.
Procedural Problems
The rezoning process is flawed—annexations weren’t completed properly and the Ellettsville Plan Commission took action prematurely. Inquiries on these issues have gone unanswered, raising serious questions about legality and fairness.
Little Accountability
The developer requesting the rezone has failed to answer basic questions about experience and the identity of the partners involved (i.e., who will be making the money). Ellettsville officials could require answers, but have shown little interest in doing so.
Impact on Quality of Life
Buildings containing hundreds of thousands of square feet, increased traffic, noise, and environmental concerns will negatively affect nearby residents and lower property values. The development will be next door to Flatwoods Park, further degrading our community’s natural beauty.
What You Need to Know
Explore the procedural failures, the risks to our community, and how you can make a difference
-
It looks like the rezoning process for these parcels has moved forward before the town of Ellettsville even had legal authority over the land in question. Two annexation ordinances were involved: one from April 2024 and another from September 2024. The problem is that neither of these annexations was legally effective when the Plan Commission met on October 3, 2024, to recommend the rezoning.
As of October 9, 2024, Monroe County confirmed that it hadn’t received the required filings for at least one of the annexations. This means the properties were still legally part of Monroe County at the time of the Plan Commission’s rezoning vote. Simply put, the town didn't have the legal authority over the land yet, so the rezoning recommendation is based on a faulty process. If the Town Council moves ahead with this rezoning before everything is in order, it could be challenged in court or even declared invalid.
This raises an important question: Why the rush? If the annexations weren’t legally effective, why did the Plan Commission push ahead with the rezoning recommendation? Moving so quickly without following proper procedures makes it seem like there’s pressure to fast-track this decision, possibly without giving the community enough time to weigh in or challenge the process.
It’s critical to slow down and ensure everything is done legally to avoid future problems and make sure the community’s voice is heard.
-
The staff report supporting the rezone makes several conclusions that seem superficial and lacking critical analysis, raising important questions about whether the officials involved are asking the tough questions this development deserves.
Overly Simplistic Evaluation of Current Conditions:
The report downplays the significance of converting 343 acres of agricultural land to industrial use by relying on a blanket statement that the land is "suited for a business center." It provides little consideration for the current agricultural use or the impact on surrounding rural areas and residents. The report simply mentions neighboring properties without discussing the real-world effects on those who live nearby, such as potential increases in traffic, noise, and changes to the character of the community.Ignoring Long-Term Consequences:
The report focuses heavily on the Ellettsville Comprehensive Plan, but this land wasn't considered in that Plan because it wasn't part of Ellettsville at the time the Plan was created. It also fails to ask whether this zoning change aligns with the long-term needs of the community, especially when it comes to balancing development with the preservation of Ellettsville's natural and agricultural heritage. The emphasis is on short-term zoning objectives, with no meaningful analysis of what this development will look like 10, 20, or 30 years down the road—how it will affect the town’s infrastructure, environment, or property values in the long term.Superficial Conclusion on Property Values:
The staff report asserts that the rezoning "should have no effect on neighboring properties," particularly single-family homes, but offers no evidence or detailed analysis to back up this claim. The impact on property values, traffic patterns, and quality of life is brushed aside with the vague mention of a "buffer" that might be needed for nearby homes. Residents deserve a more thorough evaluation of how this industrial development could affect the livability and desirability of their neighborhood.Lack of Scrutiny on the Developer:
The report fails to provide any information about the developer or the specific nature of the development being proposed. What are the developer’s long-term intentions? What kind of industry will be brought in? How will the community benefit? Instead of probing these critical issues, the report seems to fast-track approval without considering whether this developer has the community’s best interests in mind.
Why are officials rushing this through without asking these hard questions? The superficial nature of the staff report suggests that officials are content to rubber-stamp this rezone without fully considering the negative impacts it could have on Ellettsville's future. We should demand more thorough analysis before irreversible decisions are made.
-
The proposed development is almost certainly a server farm, which brings significant challenges that could change the character of our community in ways we may not be prepared for. Server farms consume massive amounts of energy and water, straining local infrastructure and raising concerns about increased utility costs for residents. While these projects are often touted for their economic benefits, the reality is that they create very few local jobs compared to the amount of land and resources they consume.
In the long term, server farms could erode the town’s natural heritage, destroying farmland and open spaces that have defined our community for generations. These lands aren’t just empty fields—they’re part of what makes this area unique, providing green space, agricultural opportunities, and wildlife habitats. Once they’re gone, we can’t get them back.
We also don’t know enough about this developer and their long-term plans. This lack of transparency raises serious concerns about what the real cost to the community will be. Will these facilities expand further? Will they leave behind environmental damage? These unknowns should give us all pause before moving forward with such a permanent and impactful decision.
It's crucial to ask whether this project truly benefits the people who live here—or if it's simply pushing forward for short-term gain at the community's long-term expense.
What You Can Do
Here’s how you can make a difference in just a few minutes
Stay Informed
Contact Officials
Attend the Town Council Meeting
Spread the Word
Share your concerns directly with Ellettsville officials:
Dan Swafford, Council Vice President - danswafford@ellettsville.in.us
Pamela Samples, Council Member - pamsamples@ellettsville.in.us
Scott Oldham, Council President - scott.oldham@comcast.net
Trevor Sager, Council Member - trevorsager@ellettsville.in.us
William Ellis, Council Member - williamellis@ellettsville.in.us
Denise Line, Director of Ellettsville Planning - dline@ellettsville.in.us
Darla Brown, Ellettsville Town Attorney - dbrown@sturgeonbrown.com
Attend the next Town Council Meeting Monday, October 28, 2024 at 6:30 PM. The Council has the rezoning on its agenda. Make your presence known. There will be time for public comment - share concerns and ask the questions that few have been asking so far.
Share this page on Facebook and other social media and invite your neighbors to get involved.