Amherst zoning board rejects variance for data center project on longtime Nordson campus
Amherst's Board of Zoning Appeals rejected a use variance for a proposed data center by Cervenka Development Partners LLC on the former Nordson campus, following strong public opposition. The developer now has 30 days to decide whether to appeal the decision in Lorain County Common Pleas Court, while the mayor stated the city would defend its position.
The Amherst Board of Zoning Appeals has rejected a use variance requested by Cervenka Development Partners LLC for a proposed data center project in Lorain County, Ohio. This decision came less than 24 hours after a public hearing where over 100 residents protested the plan to convert part of the former Nordson Corporation campus into a data processing and storage facility.
Amherst Mayor Mark Costilow supported the board's decision, stating that the city would defend its position if Cervenka Development Partners decides to appeal in Lorain County Common Pleas Court. The zoning board's written decision indicated that the Illinois-based developer failed to provide a convincing argument for an exception to Amherst's industrial zoning code, which does not explicitly permit data centers.
Residents, including IT systems administrator Logan Dutro and local resident Judy Heiser, voiced concerns about potential noise and the impact on their community, advocating for the developer to abandon the project. Heiser also urged city officials to consider changing zoning language to block data centers, though Mayor Costilow noted it is up to the Amherst City Council to decide on a potential moratorium. The developer has 30 days to appeal the board's decision.