Plain City Council asks staff to draft conditional-use standards for potential data centers

Staff presented a briefing on regional data-center growth and advised the Plain City Council to prepare local rules in advance. "We do not have anything on the table," said Miss Lupton (Staff member, S7), but she recommended treating projects case by case and preparing conditional-use standards covering height, screening, noise and environmental oversight.

The staff packet included a report from the LUC Regional Planning Commission showing nearby approved sites and land purchases that suggest more proposals could come. Staff said utilities and large sites — for example, Creekview Commerce Park — make some locations technically eligible, but any proposal would still require site review and council oversight.

Council members pressed staff on options including a temporary pause or moratorium. Miss Lupton said moratoria have been used elsewhere but are not a guaranteed blocker and can generate legal and political complexities. She recommended instead drafting code changes that define data centers, set conditional-use criteria and identify required mitigations.

Members also asked about environmental controls and stormwater discharge. Staff said the village can adopt stricter local stormwater and screening requirements than minimal state guidance and should include clear definitions and permit conditions to avoid post-approval mitigation. Chair (S2) directed staff to prepare draft definitions and conditional-use language for planning-and-zoning review, aiming to bring drafts to PNZ in April.

The council did not vote on a ban or moratorium; the immediate direction was to draft zoning language and return with a proposal for PNZ and council review.