MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP — Ohio ranks fifth in the country in regards to states with the highest number of data centers, according to the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel.
Data centers have been a hot topic of discussion, particularly in recent months, at national, state and local levels — including Montgomery Township trustees, who approved legislation regarding these centers Wednesday evening.
The three-member board unanimously approved a two-year moratorium on the construction of data centers within Montgomery Township. Trustees will sign the resolution during the July 1 meeting.
Below is a PDF copy of the moratorium approved Wednesday by Montgomery Township trustees.
The resolution was drafted by Trustee John Keim with assistance from Michael Donatini, first assistant prosecuting attorney for the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office.
Keim originally proposed an outright prohibition during trustees’ meeting June 3. He still favors a complete ban of future data center projects, but wanted to also propose a temporary alternative.
Since trustees last discussed the subject two weeks ago, Keim said he’s received several phone calls and text messages, along with face-to-face conversations, asking about what the board plans to do regarding data centers.
Keim said he recently was in New Albany — where 40 data centers have been opened since 2010 in the New Albany International Business Park, according to ABC News 5 — and spoke to some residents. Those residents told Keim they feel “taken advantage of.”
“People are concerned about it,” he said. “I think this is something, since we’re elected to represent our constituents’ voices, that we need to do.”
According to the legislation, trustees desire additional time to study the potential impacts of large-scale data center development upon “township infrastructure, utility systems, emergency services, roads, land use patterns, environmental resources and the general welfare of township residents.”
Trustee Josh Boley said he preferred the temporary option until more information can be gathered regarding data centers.
Furthermore, the township is currently in the midst of updating its zoning regulations.
The moratorium approved Wednesday would supersede any language regarding data centers included in the updated zoning regulations — if approved — for the two-year period its in place, Keim said.
Language included in the proposed updates to zoning regulations would limit the location of any data center construction in the township to industrial or highway commercial districts, said Dan Kamburoff, the township’s zoning inspector.
There would not be an outright ban on data centers under this language, but any proposed project would have to make it through two hearings to be approved.
Those updated zoning regulations will undergo a public hearing Aug. 5, at which time the board may accept the changes if desired.
Keim said the moratorium will help township residents know where the board stands when it comes to data centers, for at least the next two years.
“It gives peace of mind because data centers are a huge topic right now,” Keim said.
Unless repealed, extended or replaced by subsequent action of the board, the moratorium will automatically expire two years after its effective date, according to the approved resolution.
