Chillicothe council adopts emergency data center zoning moratorium
The Chillicothe City Council adopted an emergency moratorium on new data center zoning permits, immediately halting the city's acceptance of such applications. This action followed weeks of resident pushback against a proposed local data center project. The ordinance prevents the city from issuing new zoning permits for data center uses.
Chillicothe, Ohio – On August 24, the Chillicothe City Council adopted an emergency moratorium on new data center zoning permits, effectively halting the city's ability to accept and issue such applications immediately. This measure, passed as Ordinance 44-26 by waiving the standard three-reading rule, was a direct response to weeks of significant resident pushback against a proposed data center project slated for the former paper mill site.
During previous council meetings, residents had voiced concerns and called for a pause on data center development, with specific suggestions for a six-month moratorium. At the August 24 meeting, residents Jamie Brown and Jeff McCarty addressed the council regarding the moratorium, while Mayor Luke Feeney also included the item in his report. The council fast-tracked this ordinance along with other local measures, basing the action on information obtained from the city's meeting minutes.