Public pressure succeeds as County Council votes against rezoning in 10-hour meeting

SOUTH BEND, Ind. Dozens of St. Joseph County residents refused to leave a 10 hour- marathon county council meeting Tuesday night until their concerns about a proposed rezoning were heard, even if that meant sticking around until 4 o’clock in the morning.

About 70 speakers took the podium to oppose the plan, which would be the first step in paving the way for another large data center near New Carlisle.

Residents repeated worries about water usage, energy demand and not losing New Carlisle’s small town charm, urging council members to slow down and reconsider what is best for the county.

More than 200 people stayed on the livestream as the meeting stretched late into the night, with the chamber, overflow room and lobby packed.

Kathy Schuth, Near Northwest Neighborhood director and a leader with We Make Indiana, has been vocal against the project for months. She called the council’s early-morning vote to deny the rezoning a powerful testament of the people’s voice.
“People are often told that their voice matters, but there are many times where that trust is undermined,” Schuth said. “I think last night the Council and the Council president were very clear that they wanted to ensure that everybody who had something to say about this issue had the opportunity to say it.”

The petition can be brought back up, but those in opposition are taking the vote as a win for now.