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Council approves six-month moratorium on new data‑center applications after divided debate
Summary
The New Franklin City Council voted 6–1 to impose a six-month stay on filing, review and approval of new data‑center applications, citing infrastructure and public‑interest concerns; opponents said existing zoning review would suffice and warned the pause could deter investment.
New Franklin — The City Council voted 6–1 on May 20 to adopt Resolution 26R28, imposing an immediate six‑month stay on the filing, consideration, review and approval of new data‑center applications and related activities in New Franklin.
A council member who introduced the measure said the pause would give the city time to define what constitutes a data center and to evaluate potential impacts on water, electricity and other infrastructure. “We have concerns about electricity usage, water usage, and everything that comes with those,” the council member said during the community development committee discussion.
The city’s law director and other supporters said a short, time‑limited stay strengthens the city’s legal position if the moratorium is challenged in court under the Penn Central regulatory‑takings framework. As the law director explained, a temporary measure is easier to justify legally than a permanent ban and gives the city breathing room to develop ordinance language and public engagement.
Opponents warned that existing rules already subject large facilities to conditional‑use review, public hearings and planning‑commission scrutiny. One councilor said the city could rely on the ordinary conditional‑use process to vet applicants and questioned whether a blanket six‑month stay was necessary. “We’re only hearing one side,” the councilor said at the meeting, urging staff to solicit perspectives from potential applicants as well as critics.
Public commenters also weighed in. One resident told the council she was concerned about surveillance and the use of advanced analytics and urged the city to limit projects that could enable such systems.
At the final roll call, six members voted in favor and one voted against the moratorium. The council and staff said they plan to use the six months to gather more information, consider definitions and host educational sessions open to both critics and proponents. The resolution states it takes effect immediately upon passage.
What’s next: Staff will report back with recommended ordinance language and schedule public outreach; the moratorium remains in effect for six months unless the council modifies or rescinds it earlier.
