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Akron committee weighs defining data centers as conditional uses to expand review requirements
Summary
Planning staff urged the committee to add 'data centers' to Akron's conditional-use rules, requiring applicants to supply electric, water, wastewater and noise studies; staff said the change would allow fuller public review and mitigation of impacts.
Planning staff presented a proposed amendment to Akron's zoning code that would define "data centers" and require conditional-use review for any new facility, change of use to a data center, or expansions. Jim, a planning department presenter, said the change would require applicants to provide an electric utility study on projected demand, projected water consumption, wastewater discharge projections and a noise study.
"There are currently 4 data centers operating in the city of Akron," Jim said, and he told the committee that one South Akron site has submitted expansion plans that received zoning certification because they were filed before this proposed text change. Jim said the planning department and planning commission recommend approval of the text amendment and that staff may, at the applicant's expense, hire consultants to evaluate technical submissions as needed.
Committee members asked detailed questions about the South Akron facility and what the ordinance would and would not do. Councilman Hannah said he drove past the site during construction and, "I had no idea what it was," arguing that the city is moving to "close the gate after the horse got out" by adding regulations after some centers were already built. Planning staff replied that the earlier facility was treated as an industrial use under the existing code and that the amendment is intended to give the city additional review tools going forward.
Councilmembers also discussed options such as setting future thresholds by square footage, electricity use or water consumption and whether a moratorium would be appropriate while rules are developed. Councilwoman Amobian identified the South Akron facility by name: "The data center we were talking about in South Akron was called Involta," and noted the city and regional institutions rely on data-storage capacity while also raising concerns about water, electricity and noise.
The chair closed public comment for the afternoon session after no members of the public appeared, and said the same item will be heard again at a 5 p.m. public hearing with the committee making a recommendation at that time.
