Dunkirk Approves $7,500 Buffer Zone Study Along Jay County Border

From the Dunkirk Board of Works meeting on June 8, 2026, and the Dunkirk City Council meeting on June 8, 2026

Dunkirk approved spending up to $7,500 for HWC Engineering to study expanding the city's buffer zone to two miles along its Jay County border.

The Board of Works approved the contract, and the City Council followed with its own approval during the same evening's meetings. City Attorney Wes confirmed that Portland, the Jay County seat, already maintains a two-mile buffer zone.

The expansion would require a multi-step process: Dunkirk must first update its own zoning ordinance, then seek approval from the Jay County Planning Commission, followed by the Jay County Commissioners. Council members discussed concerns about data centers, noise, and water supply as reasons for the expanded buffer. No resistance to the expansion is expected.

The study covers only the Jay County side of Dunkirk's border.

Source: Meeting transcript — City of Dunkirk - Board of Works Meeting - June 8, 2026 and meeting transcript — City of Dunkirk - City Council Meeting - June 8, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.