Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
North Ridgeville council adopts emergency moratorium on data centers
Summary
On May 18, 2026, the North Ridgeville City Council adopted Ordinance 2026-57, a temporary moratorium on data centers, crypto-mining facilities and substantially similar uses, adding an emergency clause intended to prevent developers from filing applications while the city studies impacts.
The North Ridgeville City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2026-57 on May 18, 2026, placing a temporary moratorium on planning, zoning and building permits, approvals and certificates for data centers, crypto-mining facilities and substantially similar uses and adding an emergency clause to make the ordinance effective immediately.
Council took the action after public comment and a short internal discussion. The mayor introduced the ordinance, saying he would “ask to dispense with the second and third readings and add the emergency clause” to remove the use from consideration while the city updates zoning and conducts further review. Councilmember Frederickson said she had researched the issue and “the moratorium is the right thing to do” as a pause to allow the city to fully understand potential impacts.
Residents urged quick action during the lobby session. Bernard Garcia, a North Ridgeville resident, told council he opposed data centers in the city because of potential effects on water, air and soil and asked council to “put this into motion.” Earlier in the public-comment period Robert Baumgartner criticized what he described as excessive executive control and urged greater transparency and oversight of city operations.
Council first voted to dispense with the second and third readings of Ordinance 2026-57 and then voted on adoption with an emergency clause. The clerk recorded the procedural vote to dispense with readings as passing 5–2; the subsequent roll-call vote to adopt the ordinance with the emergency clause passed on the clerk’s roll call and the clerk announced that the ordinance had been approved.
Mayor (name not specified in the record) moved the measure and Councilmember Winkle seconded the motions. Because the council adopted an emergency clause, the moratorium takes effect immediately upon adoption; council also noted the item will be considered as part of the city’s rezoning and planning review process.
Council announced regular meeting dates and other committee meetings; no further timetable for study or a staff report on next steps for the moratorium was specified during the meeting.
