Ashville Village Council extends data center moratorium
The Ashville Village Council has extended a 180-day moratorium on data center applications after waiving readings and adopting an emergency ordinance. This decision comes as companies EdgeConneX and PowerConneX are seeking permits, prompting concerns about potential emissions and community health from residents and council members. The Council is also hiring GAI Consultants to independently review permit applications.
The Ashville Village Council has unanimously voted to impose another 180-day moratorium on data center applications, adopting Ordinance 2026-14 as an emergency measure. This action temporarily halts the receipt, processing, issuance, and approval of zoning certificates for data processing, hosting, and related services.
The decision follows ongoing discussions regarding proposals from EdgeConneX and PowerConneX, which are currently undergoing the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) process. The Council also approved a proposal from GAI Consultants, an engineering firm, to perform independent reviews of air permits and noise studies submitted by these companies for a fee of $39,300, to be paid from funds received from EdgeConneX and PowerConneX.
During audience comments, resident Kim Ackison, an Emergency Room nurse, raised significant environmental concerns, citing PowerConneX's Permit-to-Install Application which declares potential emissions of 153 tons of nitrogen oxide, 291 tons of carbon monoxide, 402 tons of fine particulate matter, 123 tons of ammonia, and 10,172 tons of CO2 per year. Ackison expressed worries about the health of children in the Teays Valley School District due to multiple data centers in the region.
Council member Jeff Martin, President Pro Tempore, reaffirmed his deep concerns regarding the scale, location, and proximity of the data center project, particularly its power assets. While he opted not to participate in a referendum effort to overturn council action, he emphasized that the legality of a referendum is for administrative and legal bodies to determine.