Dear Editor,

Property owners: Be aware of spot zoning.

Spot zoning gives a zoning classification that is drastically different from the surrounding area.

1. It undermines comprehensive plans with inconsistencies.
2. It singles out property owners for benefit at the expense of others.
3. It disrupts the physical makeup of the land.
4. It could lead to lawsuits.
5. It could cast the appearance of corruption if public officials use spot zoning to benefit specific businesses or individuals … and, it causes …

The conflict: Is it fair and just for rural families and historical agricultural land to become neighbors to a 554-acre data center?

Let’s think. Whenever there is a conflict, there is also blame. If you are looking to blame someone or something, who is your target?

Is it the data center? Is it the sellers? If you stream movies on Netflix or use Facebook, the blame cannot be placed on data centers. And, you can disagree with the property owners, but everyone has the right to sell or buy property. The monster in this conflict is spot zoning.

Our county’s comprehensive plan clearly states: “Although new growth and development is encouraged within this comprehensive plan, the protection and preservation of existing agricultural land uses within Kosciusko County should also take priority. New development, while beneficial, can create negative impacts on existing agricultural assets such as drainage and runoff, destruction of prime farmland, and land use conflicts between new … and existing land character.”

Our county’s plan took three years to complete. It was written with careful thought and consideration. Our commissioners adopted this plan for a balanced approach to land management. My question to our commissioners is this: You adopted the plan. Can we rely on its content? If it is trustworthy and reliable information, there is no place for a heavy industrial build in the middle of farmland and its rural neighbors.

Will the owners of this company remain in our community? Be volunteers? Donate and support our charities?

The life expectancy of this 554-acre complex is 10-20 years. With the fast pace of technology, that number may be shortened. When this complex dies, our landfills will be filled with compressed servers, and the county will have a huge abandoned complex. What business will want to reclaim an area that is so far from our municipalities and infrastructure? Spot zoning sets a precedent. Will more land be rezoned to support the needs of the data center?

Commissioners, please keep your word and your integrity. Look into alternative building sites, investigate the long-term soil, water, health and environmental concerns and tax consequences to property owners. Don’t make a decision that you, and all of us, will regret for years to come.

If our commissioners vote in favor of this spot zoning, we will not be feeding food to people; we will be feeding farmland to a temporary, massive 554-acre complex.

Sign the online petition. Enter https://www.change.org/KeepLeesburgRural in your browser. Click the link, complete the form and hit “submit.” The Area Plan Commission meets April 2. Please take action.

Beth Lamb