On the agenda: Crown Point Lake County Plan Commission - Feb 18, 2026 — data center (Feb 18)

TENTATIVE AGENDA
LAKE COUNTY PLAN COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026 - 5:30 P.M.

MEETING CAN BE VIEWED BY GOING TO LAKECOUNTYIN.GOV
I.

Meeting called to order

II.

Pledge of Allegiance

III.

Emergency exit announcement: In case of an emergency, exit the Commissioners’
Courtroom/Council Chamber, proceed to the stairs, go to the second floor, and exit the
building. Do not enter an elevator in an emergency. If you require assistance, a Plan
Commission employee will escort or assist you. Please silence any cellular phones during this
meeting. If you receive a call during this meeting, please excuse yourself with as little
disruption as possible to these proceedings.

IV.

Record of those present

V.

Communications

VI.

Minutes

VII.

Old Business

VIII.

New Business

1.

25-ZC-09 PC – Roy W. and Sandra S. Mason, Owners and John Mason, Petitioner
Located approximately 3/10 of a mile east of Mount Street on the south side of W. 173rd
Avenue, a/k/a 4607 W. 173rd Avenue in Cedar Creek Township.
Request:

Zone Change from A-1 (Agricultural Zone) to RR (Rural Residential Zone)

Purpose:

To allow a proposed residential subdivision.

12/17/2025
1/21/2026

Deferred by Plan Commission – The petitioner failed to advertise.
Removed from the agenda – The petitioner failed to advertise.
favorable_____ unfavorable_____deferred_____ vote_____

2.

26-W-03 PC – David Vanderzee, Owner/Petitioner – Vander-Wold Estates
Located approximately one mile west of White Oak Street on the north side of W. 151s
Avenue, a/k/a 13916 W. 151st Avenue in West Creek Township.
Request:

Waiver from Title 154, Unified Development Ordinance, Article 12, Subdivision
Design and Improvements, Chapter 40, Lots, Section (A) (4) Lots may not
exceed a depth to width ratio of more than 3.5 to 1.

Purpose:

To allow a subdivision containing proposed lots with excessive depth to width
ratio.
approved_____ denied_____deferred_____ vote_____

1

3.

26-PS-02 -PC – David Vanderzee, Owner/Petitioner – Vander-Wold Estates
Located as above
Request:

Primary Approval

Purpose:

Subdivision (2 lots)
approved_____ denied_____deferred_____ vote_____

4.

26-ZC-01 PC – Johnson Sunnybrook Farm, LLC, The Land Trust Company as Trustee
Under Trust No. 4928 and Barnabas Foundation Properties, LLC, Owners and Dinwiddie
Holdings, LLC, Petitioner
Located approximately 2/10 of a mile east of Clay Street on the south side of E. 181st Avenue
in Eagle Creek Township.
Request:

Zone Change from A-1 (Agricultural Zone) to M-1 (Light Industrial Zone)

Purpose:

To allow a proposed data center.
favorable_____ unfavorable_____deferred_____ vote_____

5.

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND the Unincorporated Lake County Unified Development
Ordinance, County of Lake, State of Indiana, adopted June 13, 2023 specifically to amend Title
154, Unified Development Ordinance 2560; Article 8, Supplemental Use Regulations;
Chapter 080, Regulations for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Section B. Application
Submittal Requirements, Item 12. Abandonment, Decommissioning, and Disposal of items
throughout the life of the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS); to add a requirement for
abandonment and decommissioning.
favorable_____ unfavorable_____deferred_____ vote_____

6.

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND the Unincorporated Lake County Unified Development
Ordinance, County of Lake, State of Indiana, adopted June 13, 2023 specifically to amend Title
154, Unified Development Ordinance 2560; Article 8, Supplemental Use Regulations;
Chapter 090, Regulations for Data Centers, Section A. All applications for Special Exception
approval must include at least the following information in addition to the standard submittal
requirements for a special exception use, Item 18. A Decommissioning Plan, and Section I.
Data center facilities that remain inactive for more than 15 consecutive months must be
decommissioned unless otherwise approved by Plan Commission action at a public hearing. If
decommissioned, the site must be restored to pre-development conditions or repurposed for
permitted uses
favorable_____ unfavorable_____deferred_____ vote_____

2

IX.

Study Session

1.

26-SS-03 PC – Danielle Rhinehart, Owner/Petitioner
Located approximately 3/10 of a mile south of W. 117th Avenue on the west side of White Oak
Street, a/k/a 11880 White Oak Street in Hanover Township.

2.

Request:

Study Session for the purpose of a Special Exception for a two-unit house on
an A-1 zoned property greater than one acre.

Purpose:

To provide an early opportunity for the Lake County Plan Commission to
discuss the feasibility of the applicant’s proposal and conduct a preliminary
evaluation of possible land use impacts.

26-SS-04 PC – Jabaay Ventures I, LLC (C/O Vis Law), Owner and Priority Landscape,
LLC, Petitioner
Located at the northwest quadrant at the intersection of 45th Avenue and Hayes Street and
located at the northeast and northwest quadrants at the intersection of 44th Avenue and Hayes
Street in Calumet Township.
Request:

Study Session pursuant to Title 154-17-30, Zoning Map Amendments, Chapter
C. Pre-Application Meetings and Study Sessions, 1 (b), owner-initiated rezoning
from R-3 (One to Four-Family-dwelling) and B-2 (Rural Business Zone) to B-3
(General Business Zone). For the purpose of operating a proposed landscaping
business, snow removal services, office use, and the storage of equipment
and trucks.

Purpose:

To provide an early opportunity for the Lake County Plan Commission to
discuss the feasibility of the applicant’s proposal and conduct a preliminary
evaluation of possible land use impacts.

X.

Site Development Plans Approved by Plan Commission

XI.

Site Development Plans Approved by Staff

1.

25-SDP-24 PC – Lumen, Owner and Superior 4U, Inc., Petitioner
Located approximately 2/10 of a mile west of Grant Street on the north side of W. 129th
Avenue, a/k/a 1620 W. 129th Avenue in Center Township.
Purpose:

2.

Fiber Optic Booster Addition.

26-SDP-02 PC – D & F Land, LLC (C/O Rich Heemstra), Owner and Lamar Advertising,
Petitioner
Located approximately 7/10 of a mile east of US 41 (Wicker Blvd./Indianapolis Blvd.) on the
south side of W. 109th Avenue (US Highway 231/State Road 8), a/k/a 10007 W. 109th Avenue
in Hanover Township.
Purpose:

Off Premise LED Advertising Sign

3

3.

26-SDP-03 PC – Joe Giannini, Owner and Milmar Buildings, Petitioner
Located approximately 4/10 of a mile east of Wicker Blvd. (US 41/Indianapolis Blvd.) on the
south side of W. 181st Avenue (State Road 2), a/k/a 10653 W. 181st Avenue in West Creek
Township.
Purpose:

XII.

Commercial Cold Storage Building.

Public Comment

4

Lake County
Plan Commission
2/18/2025

CONFIDENTIAL

Introduction
CONFIDENTIAL

Project Team
• Developer
• Joshua Rabina, Sam Nidenberg (Sentinel Data Centers)
• Tom Dakich
• Andy Qunell (VRQ LLC)
• David Westland (Westland & Bennet P.C.)
• Mark Pall / Trevor Murphy (Manhard Consulting)

Rezoning Request Overview
• Request: Rezone the subject property from Agricultural (AG) to
Industrial (M-1).
• Purpose: Align the zoning designation with the site’s intended use.
• Proposed Use: Data Center
• Tonight’s Goal: Present the project and rezoning petition, receive
input from the commission and the public, and request the Plan
Commission’s favorable recommendation to the County Council.

• Sentinel is currently under contract on
four contiguous parcels of land outside of
Lowell in Lake County totaling ~160 acres.

Clay St

Property Basics
SR-2

• Parcels #:
•
•
•
•

45-21-30-100-002.000-012
45-21-30-100-009.000-012
45-21-30-100-013.000-012
45-21-30-400-001.000-012

N

CONFIDENTIAL

Rezoning Criteria
Required Criterion

Finding

Key Support

Meets plan intent

Located in vicinity of Dinwiddie Target Area /
Business Park Center; supports “tech industry
applications” / technology park uses

Current Conditions / Character

Consistent with surrounding uses

Area includes major existing/approved
industrial + utility; site is away from
residential/schools

Most Desirable Use

Well-suited for the site

Proximity to utilities/industrial uses; can be
designed as a low-impact campus

Supports long-term value

Studies show data centers have no negative
impacts on residential and significant positive
impacts on agricultural and industrial land;
additionally, adds long-term investment + tax
base.

Represents responsible development

Leverages existing infrastructure; to be
developed in a phased approach to align with
safety considerations

Comprehensive Plan

Conservation of Property Values

Responsible Growth

Proposed Project

Property Location
• Located on the South side of SR-2, just
east of Clay Street.

1

Invenergy Solar

2

Concrete Plant

3

Battery Storage

4

NIPSCO Substation

5

Stone Quarry

6

John Deere

7

Cold Storage

8

Distribution Center

9

Truck Stops

1

• Located ~2 miles from nearest residential
neighborhood.
• Located ~6+ miles from nearest school
(Lowell High School).
• Nearby to many other industrial type uses.

7
4

8
9

2

6

3

5

CONFIDENTIAL

Conceptual Design
CONFIDENTIAL

Preliminary
Site Plan
Subject to change
pending further
design
considerations.

CONFIDENTIAL

Illustrative Renderings
This image represents a different project we are currently
developing and is meant to demonstrate the high level of
design we typically employ in our facilities.

CONFIDENTIAL

Project Profile
CONFIDENTIAL

Economic Benefit
• Significant capital investment: ~$5B total anticipated investment.
• Construction-phase jobs: 2,500+ construction job years over an estimated ~5-year
build period.
• Permanent jobs (on-site): 250+ new on-site roles supporting operations (facilities,
security, logistics, maintenance).
• Local business & vendor spend: strong demand for regional trades and suppliers (civil,
concrete, electrical, mechanical, landscaping, services) during build and ongoing
operations.
• Expanded tax base: substantial increase in assessed value compared to current
agricultural use, supporting County services and community priorities.
*Disclaimer: All figures shown are preliminary planning-level assumptions for a ~500 MW hyperscale data center campus and will vary based on final site plan/design, phasing and schedule,
tenant requirements, delivery method/contracting strategy, and the timing of utility and governmental approvals.

CONFIDENTIAL

Power Availability

• Existing Infrastructure: Given the proximity to
the new Dinwiddie 345kV substation, the
project will leverage existing infrastructure and
minimize the need for additional visually
intrusive equipment.
• Power Availability: NIPSCO is advancing the
formal load study process to confirm final
scope, timing, and configuration.
• Electric Rates: NIPSCO’s newly approved
“GenCo” framework was created to serve data
center loads without shifting costs to existing
residential and business customers.
• Cost responsibility: Under this framework,
large-load customers are intended to fund all
the necessary infrastructure required to
serve them.

NIPSCO
345kV

Subject Property

Minimal Water Usage
• Air-Cooled Design: Our current design features air-cooled chillers only. There
will be no evaporative cooling; minimal water usage for operations.
• Primary Water Demand: Code minimum restrooms, sinks, and general
building uses. Similar water usage to an office facility with limited staff.
• Water Source: On-site well water for domestic use (toilets, sinks, etc.), subject
to final design and applicable approvals.
• Limited Wastewater: Sanitary flows primarily from restrooms/sinks; there will
be no industrial discharge.

CONFIDENTIAL

Low Impact to
Traffic
• Low daily trips compared to
warehouse/distribution uses
• Mostly cars; employees + occasional
visitors/vendors
• Minimal trucks; infrequent scheduled
deliveries and maintenance
• Construction traffic is temporary;
operations traffic is steady and relatively low
• Further traffic studies will be conducted
based on feedback from INDOT and local
authorities.
CONFIDENTIAL

Noise Compliance
• Full compliance with the Lake County Noise Ordinance; our facility
will maintain sound levels below the required maximum of 55 dB at
the property line.
• We also intend to use commercially reasonable sound mitigation
techniques as needed, which may include acoustic
enclosures/silencers, sound walls/berms, and strategic site
layout/setbacks.
• Per the ordinance, we will provide a noise study + mitigation plan
prepared by an acoustical engineer demonstrating compliance.
CONFIDENTIAL

Q&A
CONFIDENTIAL

Rezoning Criteria
Required Criterion

Finding

Key Support

Meets plan intent

Located in vicinity of Dinwiddie Target Area /
Business Park Center; supports “tech industry
applications” / technology park uses

Current Conditions / Character

Consistent with surrounding uses

Area includes major existing/approved
industrial + utility; site is away from
residential/schools

Most Desirable Use

Well-suited for the site

Proximity to utilities/industrial uses; can be
designed as a low-impact campus

Supports long-term value

Studies show data centers have no negative
impacts on residential and significant positive
impacts on agricultural and industrial land;
additionally, adds long-term investment + tax
base.

Represents responsible development

Leverages existing infrastructure; to be
developed in a phased approach to align with
safety considerations

Comprehensive Plan

Conservation of Property Values

Responsible Growth