Plymouth considers annexing, rezoning 900 acres for industrial development

PLYMOUTH, Ind. -- Plymouth is considering annexing and rezoning approximately 900 acres of land in the northeastern part of the city for potential industrial development, raising concerns among residents about the possibility of a future data center.

The proposal was requested by Indiana Tool and Manufacturing and would bring the land under the city's control, allowing Plymouth to market the property for industrial use.

However, city officials say no specific development has been proposed, and the property's future use remains unknown.

Mayor Robert Listenberger said the possibility of a data center has not been discussed with the city. Speculation about a potential data center began circulating on social media after the rezoning proposal became public.

Marshall County has a ban on data center development, but those restrictions would not apply to land owned by the city.

During a presentation on the proposal, officials noted that data centers are not an allowed use under the current rezoning proposal.

Listenberger said the city is not rushing the process and does not want to rule out potential development opportunities before knowing what businesses may be interested in the property.

During public comment, several residents raised concerns about the loss of farmland and potential environmental impacts, particularly because no specific plans for the property have been identified.

Listenberger said the annexation could create new opportunities for Plymouth's economic growth.

“Back in the late 1950s and 1960s, we had the Plymouth Industrial Development Corp. come into existence. I believe it was 500 acres,” Listenberger said. “Those folks that made that decision back in those years, they didn't know what was to come into that. But what they did do is make properties available, and we annexed it, brought it in and marketed it, and brought in manufacturing that we all enjoy today. And thank goodness they did that.”

The ordinance addressing the proposed annexation and rezoning received its first reading before the City Council. Council members are expected to vote on the proposal in two weeks at their next meeting.