Butler County Commissioners approve short-term data center moratorium
Butler County Commissioners unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on data center developments, responding to requests from six townships. This pause allows county leaders to research potential impacts on infrastructure, water, sewer, and electricity resources, as developers were unable to adequately answer pertinent questions. Residents have expressed concerns about utility bills, environmental impact, and noise from proposed projects.
Butler County, Ohio, Commissioners unanimously enacted a six-month moratorium on data center developments, effective immediately. The decision, made on Tuesday, followed requests from Hanover, Lemon, Madison, Milford, Oxford, and Ross townships, which fall under the county's zoning authority. Commissioner Don Dixon emphasized the need to understand the commitment to residents and county infrastructure, including water, sewer, and electric availability, stating that developers had not adequately addressed these concerns.
Commission President T.C. Rogers echoed this sentiment, noting that developers were unable to provide sufficient answers to pertinent questions about the warehouse-like facilities. The moratorium prohibits the approval, establishment, construction, or issuance of any permits for data centers within these six townships. Other cities and villages within Butler County manage their own zoning.
The move comes amidst local opposition to proposed large-scale data centers in Butler County, including an ongoing project on 141 acres in Trenton and a paused 29-acre development in Hamilton. Residents have voiced concerns regarding potential impacts on utility bills, the environment, and noise levels. The commissioners previously considered a countywide ban but are limited to areas where they control zoning.
Butler County joins other nearby communities in the Tri-State area, such as Cincinnati, Mt. Orab, and Dearborn County, Indiana, that have similarly enacted their own data center moratoriums.