Housing and Growth Committee advances 90-day pause and study of data centers to full council

At a special meeting, the Cincinnati City Council Housing and Growth Committee on Tuesday advanced a proposal to create Interim Development Control (IDC) No. 89, a citywide overlay that would pause certain data-center permits while the Department of City Planning and Engagement conducts a zoning study.

"This morning, I will be presenting on the proposed establishment of interim development control, otherwise known as IDC number 89 for data centers," said Stacy Hoffman, department of city planning and engagement, who told the committee the overlay would be established initially for three months with a future option to extend for an additional nine months and that the proposed district "encompasses over 22,000 parcels within the city of Cincinnati."

Committee Chair Councilman Jeffries emphasized the measure is a temporary pause, not a ban, saying the step allows the city to "deliberate on what the right zoning is" and avoid ad-hoc decisions. By the end of the meeting Jeffries said the committee would "file item number 2" and, "without objection," move item number 1 on for passage to the full City Council.

Committee members pressed staff on the scope and likely consequences of the overlay. Vice Chair Council Member Albee asked how the rules would treat small server rooms and university research facilities versus large campus-style data centers; Hoffman said the study will define "what the universe is here in the city" and identify special cases so institutions are not pushed out. "They do come in all shapes and sizes," she said.

Several members raised utility and community concerns. Council Member Mika Owens asked how energy consumption and utility coordination would be addressed; Hoffman said those impacts depend on scale and would be considered as permit applications come in, noting review criteria include neighborhood compatibility, power and utility coordination, water use and public benefits. Council Member Ryan James urged early engagement with Duke Energy to understand potential effects on rates and business customers; Hoffman said the department has not yet engaged Duke Energy but acknowledged it as an obvious stakeholder.

Council Member Seth Walsh supported the pause but objected to the rapid scheduling of the special meeting, saying two business days provided little time for public input. Solicitor Kevin Tidd was asked to confirm notice requirements; staff said they would follow the Cincinnati zoning code and post notices in a newspaper of general circulation and the city bulletin and that the code allows the city to set the short initial IDC period with an opportunity for extension.

Council Member Evan Nolan asked about the overlay map and whether it must be contiguous; Hoffman said the proposed overlay is scattered across several zoning districts and acknowledged the review will require "a big lift" by staff to comb through affected permits. Multiple members recommended that elected officials convene neighboring jurisdictions and hold public info sessions as part of outreach.

Hoffman said the zoning study will analyze existing local conditions, research best practices from other cities, and include public engagement to recommend a definition of data centers and any necessary zoning amendments to protect quality of life.

Next steps: the committee advanced the item to the full City Council for passage and instructed staff to complete the zoning study and public engagement process; any formal changes to the zoning code would return to the Planning Commission and then City Council for approval.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are identified in committee records as Councilman Jeffries (chair), Vice Chair Council Member Albee, Council Member Seth Walsh, Council Member Mika Owens, Council Member Ryan James, Council Member Evan Nolan, Council Member Johnson, and Stacy Hoffman of the Department of City Planning and Engagement.