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Commissioner Bechtol: state law prevents countywide moratoriums on data centers; planning grant sought
Summary
Commissioners discussed expanding their role in economic development, county annexations and data centers. Commissioner Bechtol said state law does not allow commissioners to impose a countywide moratorium on data centers; Regional Planning is pursuing grant funds for a countywide land-use plan.
Board members debated whether the county commission could play a larger part in economic development and learn about annexations and utility plans affecting potential projects.
Meeting participant Deb Stacy asked whether the county commissioners could serve a larger role in economic development, saying commissioners and township trustees often lack information. Commissioner William Bateson noted commissioners serve on the Economic Development Advisory Board. Commissioner Jeffrey Hunker said Regional Planning is applying for grant funds to develop a countywide land-use plan aimed at improving coordination across townships, villages and the City of Findlay.
Commissioner Timothy Bechtol addressed the legal limits on county authority over data centers, saying, "there is no state statute that allows the commissioners to enact a county wide moratorium on data centers." He explained zoning and moratorium authority rests with local municipalities and townships, not the county commissioners.
