Middleton Twp. Zoning Commission sides with residents opposed to more zoning changes for data center
The Middleton Township Zoning Commission rejected a request for a zoning change on 39.2 acres, which Meta sought for temporary parking and a retention pond for its data center construction. Residents voiced strong opposition due to concerns about continued expansion, environmental impacts, and strain on local resources like water and emergency services. The decision now moves to the Middleton Township Trustees for a final vote.
The Middleton Township Zoning Commission in Ohio voted 4-1 to reject a request to rezone 39.2 acres from agricultural to light industrial. This land, located at the northern edge of the Meta data center property, was sought by Meta for additional temporary parking and a retention pond to accommodate over 1,000 construction workers during the data center's ongoing construction.
Residents attending the meeting celebrated the commission's decision, having expressed significant concerns about the continuous expansion of the Meta campus, which has grown from an initial 700 acres to over 1,100 acres. Neighbors like Sean McKenzie described the zoning change as another "land grab," while Ed Puhala questioned why temporary parking necessitated a permanent zoning reclassification. Environmental worries were also prominent, with residents citing impacts on well water levels, light and noise pollution, air pollution, and increased demands on local police, fire, and EMS services.
Meta's attorney, Chris Ingram, argued the rezoning was needed to "round out" the campus and expedite construction, claiming it was consistent with the county's land use plan. However, residents and Tenesha Ulrich from Carter Road countered that the township officials are not bound by the county plan, viewing it as a roadmap rather than a mandate. The ultimate decision on the zoning change now rests with the Middleton Township Trustees, who had previously approved a separate 32-acre rezoning request for Meta.