Genoa data center debate continues as council works to address resident concerns
Genoa, Ohio, residents are actively opposing a proposed data center, citing concerns about property values, noise, light pollution, and water availability. The Genoa Village Council is continuing discussions and working on zoning requirements, including potential setbacks and restrictions on groundwater use, to address these community concerns.
The Genoa Village Council in Ohio is continuing a three-year debate over a proposed data center, as residents persist in voicing their opposition to the development. The empty lot at the intersection of Reiman Road and State Road 163 is the focus of these redevelopment discussions, with the data center proposal facing significant community pushback.
Residents have expressed concerns regarding potential decreases in home values, reduced water availability, and noise and light pollution. Michelle Wiciak, a local resident, emphasized the unknown long-term impacts and the potential for noise to travel up to 10 miles.
In response to these concerns, the village council has stated it will mandate a 1,000-foot setback along State Road 163 for any data center, which is three times the setback of a similar facility in Hilliard, Ohio. Council President Jacob Deibert even purchased a sound meter to independently measure noise levels during a visit to the Hilliard data center, recording approximately 42 decibels 230 feet away.
Water sourcing for the facility was also discussed at a recent meeting, with Council member Thomas Bergman clarifying that the municipality holds "home rule authority" under the Ohio constitution to prohibit groundwater usage. Deibert suggested that as the council addresses specific concerns, more residents are becoming receptive to the project, noting that continued work on the property's zoning is the next step.