Fort Wayne Council Rejected Data Center Moratorium

The city council split in a tie vote, effectively blocking a proposed 365-day halt on new data center development.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Data Centers

Isometric editorial illustration of a large industrial electrical transformer and power conduits, representing data center infrastructure in a city planning context. — The Fort Wayne City Council voted 4-4 on Tuesday, blocking a proposed one-year moratorium on new large-scale data center development projects. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local government pause new data center projects to establish clear development standards?

The Fort Wayne City Council voted 4-4 on a proposed 365-day moratorium intended to establish new frameworks for large-scale data center projects. Because the vote resulted in a tie, the ordinance failed to pass.

Why it matters

The ordinance was introduced to create a regulatory framework for large-scale data center development in the region. Supporters sought the pause to better manage the impact of such facilities on the local infrastructure.

The proposed ordinance aimed to implement a 365-day pause on new data center construction. The motion to table the vote prior to the final decision was also denied by a 7-1 margin.

The players

Rohli Booker

She is a member of the Fort Wayne City Council who introduced the proposed moratorium ordinance.

Wunderwerk Brewing Company

This local business is moving into the former Junk Ditch Brewing Company space and was granted a liquor license.

The details

Councilwoman Rohli Booker introduced the legislation, which faced significant pushback during the session. While the moratorium failed, the council successfully approved a downtown dining district liquor license for Wunderwerk Brewing Company in a 7-1 vote.

The moratorium ordinance was introduced in September 2026.
The City Council voted on the moratorium and liquor license on October 13, 2026.
Wunderwerk Brewing Company plans to open by the end of fall 2026.

The Tech Race

This vote highlights the ongoing friction between municipalities and the rapidly growing demand for data center capacity. By rejecting the pause, the council has signaled a different approach to infrastructure integration compared to jurisdictions that have implemented restrictive zoning laws.

Residents may see continued industrial development in the city without a year-long cooling-off period for new planning regulations. Meanwhile, local diners can expect the new Wunderwerk Brewing Company location to open its doors by the end of fall.

The takeaway

The split council vote underscores the difficulty local governments face when balancing rapid industrial growth with urban planning. Residents should watch for further legislative proposals regarding land use and infrastructure standards in upcoming sessions.