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City says data-center development lies outside Sandusky jurisdiction; HB 646 study commission discussed
Summary
City Manager John Orzac told the Community Relations Commission the data center at issue is outside Sandusky’s jurisdiction; the meeting summarized Ohio House Bill 646, which would set up a state data-center study commission to evaluate water, grid, environmental, farmland and national-security impacts.
City Manager John Orzac’s position—relayed by Dr. Coun—was that the nearby data-center development was approved by Perkins Township and therefore falls outside Sandusky’s jurisdiction. "The data center isn't within our jurisdiction, so we have no control or input when Perkins Township allowed this development to proceed," Dr. Coun said, conveying the city manager’s assessment.
The meeting reviewed Ohio House Bill 646 and the proposed data-center study commission it would establish. The commission’s stated purposes, as outlined in the discussion, include evaluating environmental, economic and infrastructure impacts of rapid data-center growth; examining water usage, electrical-grid reliability, noise and light pollution, farmland preservation and national-security implications; and providing lawmakers with comprehensive information to guide long-term planning and regulatory decisions. The transcript also notes that organizations such as the Ohio Farm Bureau have expressed support for responsible development.
Commission members urged that the city attempt to be included in the state-level process. Dr. Coun said the city has expressed a desire to be included but acknowledged the state determines membership on the study commission. The discussion did not produce a formal action by the commission; instead, staff indicated they would share study-commission dates and information when available.
The commission did not announce any local regulatory response or new municipal authority over the project; questions about utility-rate impacts and water infrastructure needs were noted as ongoing concerns the state study commission is expected to examine.
