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Findlay council imposes 12‑month moratorium on data centers after public testimony
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Summary
Council enacted a 12‑month moratorium on establishing or converting properties to data centers to allow study of federal/state rules and local zoning; the ordinance passed 9–1 after public speakers urged caution about power demand, economy and surveillance concerns.
Findlay City Council on April 21 voted to adopt a 12‑month moratorium on establishing data centers or converting buildings to that use, moving immediately from first to third reading after the council suspended its statutory rules.
Ordinance 20‑26‑42 bars new construction or conversion for data‑center use for 12 months so the city can review applicable federal and Ohio statutes and its own code. The council suspended rules to give the ordinance a third reading and then passed it 9–1 (Councilmember Preston the sole dissent).
Speakers during a lengthy public comment period urged the moratorium. Donald Orozco warned of speculative development and grid strain, saying the sector can produce underused facilities and "skyrocket electric bills and blackouts." Evan Bealer asserted stronger claims about private interests and surveillance risks, urging the council to oppose data‑center projects. Renee LaGuire, a local party committee official, also asked council to pass the moratorium to allow citizen input and study time.
Council debate reflected mixed views. Councilmember Preston said the issue is largely a county matter in Hancock County and cautioned against overreach; other members argued for a pause to study types of facilities, regulatory gaps and potential community impacts. Councilmember Phillips—who introduced the legislation—said the moratorium is intended to provide "protection down till we figure out what types there are and study the thing," not a categorical ban.
With the moratorium in place, city staff and council committees will review applicable statutes, zoning code implications and potential public‑safety or utility issues. The ordinance directs administration to return with recommendations before the moratorium expires.
