Twinsburg council postpones full zoning-code rewrite, sends data-center definitions back to planning commission

Twinsburg City Council voted unanimously to postpone consideration of Ordinance 84-20-25 — a proposed amendment to multiple chapters of the city's planning and zoning code — to the council meeting on Nov. 12, 2025, and to send two related items (Resolution 85-20-25 and Ordinance 86-20-25) back to the Planning Commission for further review and recommendation.

The action followed a public comment criticizing the process. During Audience Participation resident Lori Fasina told council members the proposal had been presented to voters as an "amendment" while she believed it amounted to "a full rewrite of the code." She said the change "isn't transparent" and urged the council to work with residents rather than "pull the trigger." Fasina also referenced the city charter and the "right of the people to vote and referendum." Her remarks preceded the council motions to delay and to seek more work from the Planning Commission.

Councilmembers gave brief on-the-record reasons for the postponement and referrals. One councilmember said postponing would allow the body to "get our ducks in order." For Resolution 85-20-25 — described by staff as a Planning Commission determination that a "data center" is functionally equivalent to a conditionally permitted use in the Innovation and Manufacturing Zone — the council voted 7-0 to send the item back to the Planning Commission for further consideration. For Ordinance 86-20-25, which would amend the ordinance that defines "data center," the council similarly voted 7-0 to return it to the Planning Commission and to cancel the upcoming public hearing while the commission reconsiders the matter.

Votes and procedural outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes were: postponement of Ordinance 84-20-25 to 11/12/2025 (motion seconded; roll call 7-0); Resolution 85-20-25 returned to the Planning Commission for reconsideration (roll call 7-0); Ordinance 86-20-25 sent to the Planning Commission and public hearing cancelled (roll call 7-0).

Why this matters: The three items are interrelated: one is a broad set of amendments to the planning and zoning code, and the other two would classify and define data centers within that code. Council and at least one resident framed the dispute as a transparency and process question that could affect whether changes should be determined by council action or presented to voters.

What remains next: Ordinance 84-20-25 is scheduled for council consideration on Nov. 12, 2025. The Planning Commission will reconsider Resolution 85-20-25 and Ordinance 86-20-25 and is expected to return recommendations to council before any new council vote. The meeting record does not show the Planning Commission's schedule or a new public hearing date.