Wilmington homeowners file lawsuit to block $4 billion data center

Homeowners in Wilmington, Ohio, have filed a lawsuit against the city, seeking to block a proposed $4 billion Amazon Web Services hyperscale data center campus. The suit alleges improper rezoning of farmland for light industrial use and a failure by city officials to follow public notice rules, misleading residents about the true purpose of the zoning change. The Amazon project, planned for a 471-acre site on the city's south side, would consist of nine data center buildings totaling 1.9 million square feet, according to the Clinton County Port Authority. Residents like Jessica Sharp, whose backyard is near the proposed site, express concerns about potential noise and vibrations from years of construction and the long-term impact on property values once the campus is operational. The City of Wilmington has declined to comment on the specifics of the ongoing litigation but stated its intention to "vehemently defend the matter" and denied any wrongdoing. The city affirmed its commitment to its residents' best interests and vowed to address the issue through legal channels. A preliminary hearing on the lawsuit is anticipated as early as next week.