The Shelbyville City Council is considering ordinance Ord 26-3052  connected to a 100% Voluntary Annexation request:

1. A voluntary annexation ordinance for property owned by LORM LLC

2. A zoning ordinance to assign a zoning classification to the annexed property (IG)

These ordinances are being considered together as part of the legal process required under Indiana law IC 36-7-4-600

This annexation request is a 100% voluntary annexation, meaning:

• The property owner has requested to be annexed into the City of Shelbyville

• The City is not initiating or forcing annexation of the property

• The process follows Indiana’s voluntary annexation statutes, which are different from an involuntary annexation process

In voluntary annexation, the City Council must follow specific legal steps, including public notice, hearings, and votes.

Understanding the difference between City bodies is important:

City Council

City Council is the elected body that votes on:

• Whether to approve or deny the annexation ordinance

• Whether to approve or deny the zoning ordinance

Plan Commission

The Plan Commission does not approve or deny annexation.
Its role is to review the proposed zoning and provide a recommendation to City Council.

Under Indiana law, the Plan Commission may recommend:

• Favorable

• Unfavorable

• No recommendation

City Council makes the final decision.

Below is the timeline of actions taken so far and what happens next.

Completed Steps

• January 5, 2026: City Council held the first public hearing and voted on the annexation ordinance (first reading/public hearing) in the affirmative.
• January 7, 2026:Plan Commission held a public hearing on the proposed zoning classification and voted to recommend the zoning request as unfavorable
  • What Happens After the Plan Commission Recommendation?
    Because the Plan Commission recommendation was unfavorable, City Council has a defined timeframe under Indiana law to decide whether to adopt or reject the zoning proposal (90 days).
• January 21, 2026: City Council meeting 
  • City Council voted in the affirmative of the continuance of Ordinance No. 26-3052  in accordance with Indiana law and Council procedure

Next Step

• April 6, 2026: City Council meeting (this is not a public hearing) | Location: Breck Auditorium- Shelbyville High School | 2003 S Miller Street Shelbyville, IN 46176 | 6:00 PM | Live Stream

  • City Council may consider next steps on the ordinances in accordance with Indiana law and Council procedure

The City will continue to post verified updates and official actions as they occur.

City Council meetings are public meetings. Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe.

Some meetings include statutory public hearings, which have specific legal requirements and are designed to receive public input on an item.

Other meetings are regular business meetings where the Council may take action, but the meeting is not legally classified as a public hearing.

City Council agendas typically include a “Requests and Comments from Citizens” section. The City may implement reasonable, content-neutral guidelines for public comment to ensure meetings remain orderly and the full agenda can be completed.

The City records public meetings whenever possible and provides access to meeting recordings through official City channels.

January 5- Council Meeting (Recording) | Agenda | Minutes

January 7- Plan Commission (Recording) | Agenda

January 21- Council Meeting (Recording) | Agenda | Minutes

April 6- Council Meeting at Breck Auditorium- Shelbyville High School (2003 S Miller Street, Shelbyville, IN)

Meeting minutes are prepared and reviewed for approval at the next City Council meeting and next Plan Commission Meeting  in accordance with normal procedure.

Is this annexation forced?

No. This request is a voluntary annexation initiated by the property owner.

Did the City approach the landowner to annex?

No. A voluntary annexation request is initiated by the property owner.

Does annexation automatically mean a specific development is approved?

No. Annexation and zoning are separate from final development plans, permitting, and other regulatory steps that may be required depending on the proposal.

What is zoning and why does it matter?

Zoning is the legal classification that determines what types of land uses may be permitted on a property. Zoning decisions must follow adopted ordinances, procedures, and Indiana law.

What was the Plan Commission’s decision?

The Plan Commission voted to recommend the proposed zoning request as unfavorable. The Plan Commission recommendation is forwarded to City Council for consideration.

Who makes the final decision?

City Council makes the final decision on annexation and zoning ordinances.

Can the property owner withdraw the petition?

Voluntary annexation petitions and related steps are governed by Indiana law. Any questions about petition changes, amendments, or withdrawals should be directed to the City Attorney, Jenny Meltzer, for legal review.

Why is the City using a larger venue for meetings?

When high attendance is anticipated, meetings may be relocated to larger, ADA-accessible venues to support safety, accessibility, and orderly operations.

A data center is a facility that houses computer servers and related equipment used to store, process, and transmit digital information. Data centers are commonly used to support services such as cloud computing, banking systems, medical records, streaming services, and online communications.

Data center projects often raise community questions related to:

• Land use and zoning compatibility

• Noise (HVAC systems and backup generators)

• Utility needs (electricity, water, and fiber)

• Site design and buffering (including landscaping, berms, and screening)

• Traffic patterns during construction

• Long-term economic impacts and local tax considerations

The City recognizes these questions and encourages residents to review official information and participate in the public process respectfully.

This section is provided as general information and is not a statement of approval or endorsement of any specific project.

What the City Knows

• The annexation request is voluntary and initiated by the landowner

• The landowner has identified a future developer for their land if annexation and IG zoning are granted

• City Council has held the first public hearing on the annexation ordinance

• The Plan Commission has issued a zoning recommendation

• The petitioner requested a continuance which was granted by council 

• City Council will determine next steps through public meetings and formal votes on April 6, 2026 at their Common Council Meeting at 6:00p at Shelbyville Middle School.

What May Still Be Under Review or Not Finalized

Depending on the proposal and next steps, items that may require additional review can include:

• Final site design plans

• Utility coordination and capacity

• Noise mitigation measures

• Development standards and permitting requirements

• Other regulatory approvals that may apply

Residents may submit questions or concerns to the City through the following channels:

1. Contact your ward representative via email or phone (Find your ward and your Council Representative here)
2. Submit written comments, letters can be mailed to or dropped off at the Plan Commission Office, 44 W. Washington Street, Shelbyville IN, 46176, and emails can be sent to arude@cityofshelbyvillein.com.

The City encourages residents to review official statutes and meeting documents directly.

• Indiana annexation statutes 

• Indiana zoning statutes 

• City meeting agendas and minutes