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Council debate centers on proposed moratorium for hyperscale data centers after permit filings
Summary
Council members and public commenters urged a one‑year moratorium on new hyperscale data centers to study zoning, infrastructure and water and energy impacts after a developer submitted permits; Councilwoman Nikki Hudson urged swift passage of ordinance 5562026.
Council members and members of the public pressed for a pause on new hyperscale data‑center development following news that developers had submitted building permits for a proposed $1.6 billion facility in Slavic Village.
Public commenter Fuzzi Bador told council he supports ordinance 55626, introduced by Councilman Charles Slife, and noted Ohio lawmakers recently declined to give data centers state tax breaks. “We don't know for a fact what those data centers represent,” Bador said, warning about large power and water demands.
Terry Wong urged council to "stop both projects and add a public hearing with unlimited public comment for the form‑based code," accusing city hall of facilitating large developments without sufficient transparency and raising concerns about surveillance uses and neighborhood impacts.
Councilwoman Nikki Hudson called the issue urgent, saying a proposed facility could consume electricity equal to the use of 100,000 households and use substantial water for cooling. Hudson urged colleagues to pass ordinance 5562026 to permit review of zoning and infrastructure before more permits are processed and said developers had attempted to submit permits to beat a moratorium.
No final vote on the moratorium occurred during this meeting; council members signaled concern and emphasized the need for updated zoning and infrastructure analysis before large facilities proceed.
