Sunbury citizens seek to put data center measure on November ballot
A coalition of Sunbury, Ohio residents is gathering signatures for a November ballot initiative to amend the city charter, aiming to ban large data centers over 25 megawatts. This move follows months of opposition to a proposed Amazon data center campus and ongoing community concerns about noise, electricity costs, and water usage, despite a temporary moratorium enacted by the City Council.
Residents in Sunbury, Ohio, spearheaded by individuals like Trey Dockendorf and Kyle Huguenard, are actively campaigning to place a city charter amendment on the November ballot. The proposed amendment seeks to ban data centers exceeding 25 megawatts, a direct response to community pushback against a multi-billion-dollar Amazon data center campus proposed for the area. Despite the Sunbury City Council having enacted a temporary moratorium on data center development until next year, residents believe a charter amendment is necessary to ensure a permanent block beyond the moratorium's expiration.
The petitioners, who began collecting signatures last week with a July 4 deadline, require nearly 200 signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot. They aim to collect double that amount, citing widespread community concerns over potential impacts such as noise pollution, increased electric bills, and significant water usage associated with data centers. Resident Kyle Huguenard emphasized the community's resolve, stating it demonstrates Sunbury's unwillingness to concede to large developers like Amazon.
In parallel, the Sunbury City Council is scheduled to hold the first of three special meetings on data centers, featuring specialists discussing water and power impacts, and allowing public questions. Petitioners plan to collect signatures at this meeting and continue canvassing neighborhoods. Sunbury Mayor Joe St. John and city council members have not yet responded to requests for comment from NBC4.