Belvidere Residents-I think some information needs to be provided regarding the data center concerns that were expressed at last night's Council meeting. We received the one size fits all Ordinance from Warren County Commissioner Jim Kern and it suggested we consult our professionals, which we did. Both of our professionals indicated that a total ban at this time was not necessary. The property of concern is currently zoned light manufacturing and has been designated as an area in need of redevelopment (AINR). There is no plan at this time to do anything with that property. This property is still owned by BASF (the site of a former manufacturing facility) and is assessed under Farmland assessment. There are restrictions on the property due to the prior owners. Any tax revenue realized from that property would be to the benefit of the taxpayer. There would be many studies required of anyone who wanted to do anything with that property. All of this is conjecture right now and we should all continue to do our research on the possibilities that the property may offer in the future before further restricting it.
Kathy Miers, Mayor