Weathersfield Slams Brakes On AI Data Center Near Niles

Weathersfield Township officials in Ohio have implemented a six-month moratorium on data center building, zoning, and approvals, effective immediately. The resolution, read by Trustee Steven Gerberry, aims to provide the township's zoning commission time to conduct a comprehensive review of infrastructure, environmental, and land-use impacts, and to draft potential zoning changes or restrictions. This action freezes new permits for 180 days, allowing officials to address community concerns before formal applications are considered. The decision was prompted by plans from Singapore-based company Bitdeer to construct a 300-megawatt AI data center at the former Ohio Edison power plant site at 1047 Belmont Avenue. The 41.8-acre property spans both Niles and Weathersfield Township. Residents in both communities have voiced significant concerns about potential strain on the electrical grid, increased utility costs, heavy water usage, sanitary sewer issues, equipment noise, and increased traffic. Bitdeer, through its affiliate Whitetail Creek LLC, has also initiated a petition to annex the Weathersfield parcels into Niles, which would transfer zoning authority to the city. Officials expressed worries about the large-scale demand impacting the community, despite the industrial zoning and existing transmission infrastructure at the site. While Bitdeer representatives have promoted local job creation and committed to building a dedicated substation, community tensions persist. The moratorium provides a window for technical studies, public feedback, and for local leaders in Weathersfield and Niles to consider new regulations such as water-use limits or noise restrictions. Public hearings on the proposed annexation and moratoriums are expected to continue as officials weigh the project's fit within the community.