Residents challenging Amazon data center get referendum on ballot

Residents in Wilmington, Ohio, have successfully secured a referendum on an upcoming election ballot, aiming to overturn a significant rezoning decision. This decision, made by city leaders, would nearly double the land designated for industrial use in the area, increasing it from approximately 500 acres to over 1,000. Among the projects affected is a contentious Amazon Web Services data center. Jessica Sharp, a lead organizer for Wilmington for Responsible Development, stated that city leaders and the planning commission disregarded expert advice when approving the rezoning. She noted that a staff report from the planning commission had recommended against the rezoning at the time, but the city proceeded regardless. Consequently, her group decided to take the matter directly to the voters. Gathering the necessary signatures to place the measure on the ballot involved hundreds of volunteers and took about 25 days, with circulators turning in 710 valid signatures. Sharp emphasized that despite getting the issue on the ballot, the work is not over, as they now need to campaign and spread awareness. For Sharp, the fight is also about the future of Wilmington for her daughter, as she feels the city's future as a family-friendly place is now "in flux." The City of Wilmington acknowledged Ohio citizens' right to place a referendum on the ballot but declined to comment further on the ongoing process and legal matter.