Grove City puts one-year pause on data centers
Grove City Council in Ohio has enacted a 12-month moratorium on approving new data centers after a 6-1 vote, driven by strong resident opposition. This pause will allow the city to create a task force to study the impacts of data centers and establish protections. The moratorium delays a proposed 310-acre campus by Stream Data Centers and Headwaters Site Development.
Grove City, Ohio's City Council voted 6-1 to pass a 12-month moratorium on approving any new data centers, responding to significant resident opposition. Residents, including Jen Belt of "Protect Grove City," advocated for the pause to allow for research into data center impacts.
The moratorium directly affects a proposed 310-acre data center campus by Texas-based Stream Data Centers, working with Headwaters Site Development, near Rensch Road. Councilmember Mohamed Omar, who introduced the legislation, stated it provides time for the city to assess and make necessary changes.
While a law firm representing Headwaters initially sent an email to the city suggesting a potential legal challenge to the moratorium, Headwaters co-founder Michael Lebow clarified they are not pursuing legal action. Lebow acknowledged the setback to their timeline but expressed respect for the community's decision and willingness to work through the moratorium process.
The City Council will now form a task force to study the effects of data centers and develop protective measures for residents during this one-year pause.