The Indianapolis City-County Council has remained active in recent weeks, advancing discussions on major development issues, addressing leadership changes within the Council administration and preparing for a slate of committee and full council meetings scheduled for next week.
Council revisits data center development
At its Jan. 28 meeting, the City-County Council’s Environmental Sustainability Committee continued discussions surrounding data center development in Marion County, an issue that has generated sustained public attention and community concern.
Residents and subject-matter experts raised questions about the environmental impact of large-scale data centers, including water consumption, energy usage and long-term strain on local utilities. Councilors heard testimony related to whether existing zoning and regulatory frameworks adequately address these facilities or if additional safeguards are needed before future projects move forward.
The committee discussion follows heightened scrutiny of data center proposals over the past year, particularly after a high-profile rezoning request for a data center campus in Franklin Township was withdrawn in 2025 ahead of a planned council vote. That proposal sparked months of neighborhood opposition centered on infrastructure demands and limited economic benefits relative to land use.
While no ordinance was introduced at last week’s meeting, council members indicated the issue will continue to be evaluated through committee work and potential policy recommendations. Councilors have emphasized balancing economic development with neighborhood impact as Indianapolis continues to attract interest from technology-related industries.
New chief of staff and policy officer named
In January, the City-County Council announced a leadership update within its own administration. Doran Moreland was named Chief of Staff and Chief Policy Officer for the Indianapolis City-County Council.
Under the leadership of Council President Maggie A. Lewis, Moreland will lead the Council office in providing strategic and operational support to all Council members.
Moreland began his public service career in the offices of former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson and U.S. Senator Evan Bayh. He has since held administrative leadership roles at Ivy Tech Community College and worked across the nonprofit and private sectors, bringing a broad, cross-sector perspective to public policy and governance.
He studied at Indiana University Bloomington and is currently pursuing a PhD in American Studies at Indiana University Indianapolis. Moreland resides on the north side of Indianapolis with his family.
Upcoming meetings next week
The City-County Council and several of its committees are scheduled to meet during the week of Feb. 9–13, with agendas expected to include zoning matters, appointments and routine legislative business.
According to city schedules, the Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee is expected to meet on Monday, Feb. 9, where members may review development-related items and appointments tied to economic growth and land use.
Additional meetings scheduled throughout the week include hearings from planning and zoning bodies, such as the Metropolitan Development Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals, which handle technical reviews of land use proposals that often later come before the council for final consideration.
The full City-County Council is also expected to convene for its regular Monday evening meeting, where councilors will consider ordinances, resolutions and appointments.
Agendas for council and committee meetings are posted in advance on the city’s website and meetings are open to the public.
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
