E-Town Council approves data center restrictions, lease agreement for planned nonprofit facility

The Elizabethtown City Council met for their second regular meeting of the month Monday.

The council approved, on second reading, an ordinance establishing text amendments to the city Zoning Code related to data centers. City Attorney Ken Howard read the summary of the ordinance, which amends the code in nine sections “to update the text relating to regulations for data centers to include definitions, zoning district restrictions, square footage limitations, and specific design and operational standards to be allowed as accessory uses only.” The ordinance was approved by a 6-0 vote.

The council also approved a municipal order approving a lease agreement for Heartland House at 1117 Woodland Drive. Reading from their mission statement, Paige Hardin, Heartland House’s organizer, said the organization aims to assist individuals and families facing a life crisis by offering short-term housing, mentorship, and practical support. Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory said the Woodland Drive property is the former Signature Healthcare facility.

“We were glad to be able to buy that piece of property and house some of our nonprofits in that building together, which we think is going to be an advantage,” Gregory said. “Heartland House being one of them and one of the new ones, also Mission Hope for Kids and then eventually Warm Blessings, and we’re really excited about that.”

Shellie Washer, who serves on the boards for Heartland House and Mission Hope for Kids, said infrastructure set up for the property will allow for the organizations to be separated to ensure safety of program participants.

In other meeting news, the council approved executive orders approving bids from Dirt Works Unlimited ($491,873) for the relocation of a water main on Pear Orchard Road Northwest and Superior Technologies LLC ($32,497.50) for the extension of a gas main in the Magnolia Farms Section 2 subdivision. The council also approved an update policy for public speaking at city meetings which allows participants to ask to have their name and address redacted from the meeting minutes, only asking for their name and whether or not they are a city resident to be stated.

The council voted to reject bids on the SteelGrove Amphitheater ice rink. City Administrator Ed Poppe said $400,000 was budgeted for the outdoor music venue project to purchase materials for an ice rink in order to provide for year-round use for the facility, but when only one bid came in for $716,000 the city decided to cancel the ice rink plan and explore other winter opportunities.

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet August 24.