Akron council adopts ordinance to define and require conditional-use review for data centers

Akron City Council adopted an ordinance July 27, 2026 amending the city zoning code to define data centers and add them to the list of uses requiring conditional-use approval. The ordinance passed by voice and was recorded as "11 to 0," following a planning-staff presentation and public comment period.

Mister Hasbach, the planning staff presenter, said the change will require applicants seeking to build, expand, or convert property to a data center to supply a utility study from the electric provider on projected electricity demand, projected water consumption, projected wastewater discharge to city sewers, and a noise study. Hasbach said the planning department may engage outside consultants at the applicant's expense to evaluate technical submissions and that the proposed code change mirrors how the city currently treats cell-tower proposals. "Adopting these text changes will facilitate a thorough review of any future data center proposal," Hasbach said, noting the staff and planning commission recommend approval and that four data centers currently operate in Akron.

The ordinance does not itself set numeric caps or community-benefit requirements; several public commentators urged stricter limits during the hearing. Council closed the public hearing, the committee reported favorably, and the council recorded the ordinance as adopted 11-0. The planning department said it will continue reviewing data-center policy and may bring further refinements to the planning commission and council over the next six months.