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Commissioner urges data-center zoning, raises decommissioning and battery-storage concerns
Summary
Commissioner Scruggs told the board about recommended zoning language (1,000-foot setbacks, buffers, sound rules) and urged rules for decommissioning to ensure operators cover removal costs; commissioners asked county counsel and planning staff to review whether existing moratoria cover battery storage.
Commissioner Scruggs told fellow commissioners he had consulted with zoning consultant Chad Buck and urged Miami County to adopt proactive zoning for data centers to protect residents. "Some of the things that he proposed... the thousand foot setbacks instead of being right on top of people's properties, buffer zones, sound ordinances," Scruggs said, and highlighted decommissioning rules so costs do not fall on neighbors when equipment is retired.
Chair and other commissioners discussed whether the county's prior pause on solar development already covers battery storage and whether a separate moratorium is needed. Sydney Ming, Director of Finance, and other commissioners agreed to have county staff and counsel review existing ordinances and, if necessary, propose a moratorium or updated zoning language. No formal action was taken; staff were asked to report back with recommended regulatory language and counsel input.
