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Ironton council debates emergency moratorium on AI data centers amid community outcry
Summary
Ironton City Council considered an emergency moratorium on AI data centers to 'buy time' for zoning and safeguards after residents and Hamilton Township Trustee Bob Blankenship said trustees were not informed; the transcript records debate and a motion to suspend rules but does not record a clear final adoption vote for Ordinance 26-01.
Ironton City Council members on Jan. 8 debated whether to impose an emergency moratorium on locating AI data centers within city limits, with council members and residents sharply divided over timing and potential economic consequences.
Supporters of the moratorium, including a motion to suspend rules and give Ordinance 26-01 its second and third readings by title, said a temporary pause would give the council time to develop zoning protections and safeguards and to meet with affected stakeholders. An opponent urged the council to use zoning to exclude AI centers from I-1 and I-2 industrial zones instead of imposing a moratorium that could send a negative signal to existing local manufacturers.
The debate followed public concern and testimony from township officials…
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