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St. Marys council introduces 12-month moratorium on data-center conversions for further review
Summary
A proposed 12-month moratorium on establishing or converting facilities into data centers was introduced to allow review of federal and state codes, local ordinances and concerns about water use; council scheduled the item for a second reading rather than immediate passage.
St. Marys City Council introduced a temporary moratorium (Resolution 202608) that would bar establishment or conversion of buildings into data centers for 12 months to give city staff time to review applicable federal codes, Ohio statutes and the city'9s codified ordinances.
Council members cited changing cooling technologies and concerns about water consumption as reasons for pausing new projects. One member said cooling systems are becoming more self-contained and using less water, but the council agreed the pause would allow a careful review of technical, regulatory and local planning implications.
The council discussed whether to pass the moratorium immediately or proceed with three readings; members agreed to return Resolution 202608 for a second reading at the next meeting rather than adopt it tonight. The administration had no formal position in the transcript; the chair noted council could extend or rescind a moratorium later if desired.
Next steps recorded in the meeting: the moratorium will be placed on the agenda for additional readings and further administrative review of code and environmental considerations.
