Niles City Council approves six-month pause on all data centers
The Niles City Council has approved a six-month moratorium on all new data center projects in response to public concerns. This pause allows the city to update its zoning laws, which currently lack specific regulations for data centers. The decision follows strong community opposition to a proposed data center by Bitdeer on Belmont Avenue.
The Niles City Council in Ohio has unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on all new data center development within the city. The decision, made at a Wednesday night meeting, comes after significant public outcry regarding a proposed data center by Singapore-based company Bitdeer on Belmont Avenue.
Residents raised concerns about the impact of data centers on the city's power and water infrastructure, noise levels, and overall environmental and community health. Second Ward Councilman Aaron Johnstone, who introduced the moratorium, stated that the pause is necessary to allow the city to develop comprehensive zoning regulations for data centers, which are currently absent from city code. During this 180-day period, no data center permits will be approved.
Prior to the moratorium vote, Bitdeer had sought partial annexation of Weathersfield Township land into Niles for its proposed project, an action the city has now confirmed it will not pursue. Residents, including Nikki Gorkie, emphasized that data centers are "massive industrial operations that consume enormous amounts of electricity, strain our already ancient infrastructure, increase noise, and will permanently change the character of our community."
Council members, including Third Ward Councilman James Sheely, also voiced worries about potential noise and the ability of neighboring Weathersfield Township to prevent similar developments. Residents like Nicholas Hall view the moratorium as a critical first step, advocating for the city to follow through with restrictive zoning that would deter future data center developers.