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Findlay planners to draft restrictive and permissive data‑center zoning options while council weighs moratorium
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Summary
Commissioners asked staff to produce two ordinance drafts — one restrictive and one more permissive — and to research other cities and service implications while council considers a possible one‑year moratorium on data centers.
The Findlay City Planning Commission opened a broad discussion about data‑center zoning and a possible moratorium, directing staff to prepare two draft ordinance approaches and gather examples from comparable cities.
Commissioners said the mayor’s letter (provided as a starting point) and a potential moratorium would give the city time to study the land‑use, utility and public‑service implications of large data facilities. One committee member described a moratorium as a standard tool to allow time for study and drafting; staff confirmed a moratorium would pause relevant approvals for one year unless extended or removed.
Staff offered to present two drafts for committee review: a restrictive model intended to limit or tightly condition data‑center construction and a more permissive model that would allow certain facilities under defined limits. "I can write you an ordinance that essentially prohibits data centers because the maximum size is 10,000 square feet, shall not use more than X amount of water," the planner said as an example of approaches that can be tailored to policy goals.
Commissioners asked staff to gather examples from similar‑size cities, outline likely impacts to water and public safety services, and coordinate with the law director and municipal advisors for legal review. The commission also discussed the limits of city authority beyond its corporate limits and the potential role of service agreements with townships that receive city water.
The commission did not adopt a formal moratorium in committee but agreed to request two drafts and supporting research so it and the council can evaluate whether to pursue a moratorium or specific zoning language.
Next steps: staff will prepare the two draft ordinance versions and provide comparative research for the commission’s next meeting; council may consider a moratorium at a future public session.
