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Residents and developers clash over proposed "Project Ruby" data center as council weighs overlay rules
Summary
Hundreds of residents and multiple council members debated a proposed hyperscale data center ("Project Ruby") and a technology overlay district. Speakers raised concerns about noise, water use, emissions and local jobs; Choose Columbus said permits are not yet issued and that the project's conceptual footprint is about 15% of the site.
More than a dozen residents and business representatives addressed the Columbus City Council on March 10 about Project Ruby, a proposed hyperscale data‑center campus and the city's draft technology overlay district intended to set standards and guardrails for such projects.
Supporters and opponents spoke during a lengthy public‑comment period. "I've seen a lot of ridiculous reasons for opposing Project Ruby," said Gregory Foster, a Midtown resident who told council the site is about a mile from the closest homes and that, based on distance attenuation, noise would fall well below levels of concern. "It was necessary to convert mile...the sound level outside of the home is projected to be 41.55 decibels," Foster said.
Opponents pressed the council on several environmental and quality‑of‑life issues. "Building the…
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