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Council directs staff to draft 12‑month moratorium on new data center applications
Summary
Following discussion of zoning setbacks, environmental concerns and litigation risk, Council voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare legislation for a 12‑month moratorium on new data center applications; Mayor was absent.
Village Solicitor Ashley Hetzel summarized legal options for Council regarding regulation of data centers and described a moratorium that would apply only to newly proposed projects (not to projects already in progress). Hetzel noted that "a moratorium could be ended early, if desired or needed," and that adoption of new code should be reviewed for legal robustness, particularly setbacks near Big Darby Creek.
Councilmembers raised enforcement and environmental concerns, cited the Darby Accord recommendations as potentially relevant, and discussed researching other Ohio communities with similar waterways. Councilmember Michael Terry said he would support a twelve‑month moratorium to give staff time to prepare new regulations; President Tyler Harriman moved to direct staff to prepare legislation for that duration, and Councilmember Jamey Sintz seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted in favor.
Council asked staff to include routine status updates on moratorium progress in future Council work sessions. Staff advised that, if Council wished to enact the moratorium at the August 5 meeting, the ordinance would need five affirmative votes to waive the second reading and declare an emergency.
