Zoning revisions sharpen definition of data centers in 4 Knox County townships
Wayne, Clinton, Liberty, and College townships in Knox County, Ohio, submitted zoning revisions to the Knox County Regional Planning Commission. These revisions define data centers, add them as prohibited uses, or include a "catch-all" statement to prevent data centers from being built under other classifications. The Regional Planning Commission approved these changes.
Wayne, Clinton, Liberty, and College townships in Knox County, Ohio, recently proposed zoning revisions to the Knox County Regional Planning Commission regarding data centers. These revisions aim to clarify the definition of data centers, designate them as prohibited uses in certain areas, or implement a "catch-all" statement to prevent entities from circumventing zoning regulations by mislabeling data center facilities.
The "catch-all" clause, recommended by the county prosecutor, states that no defined use can be construed as another, implying that if a use is not explicitly defined and allowed, it is prohibited. Land Use Committee Chair Steve Bratton supported the prosecutor's recommendation, expressing confidence in its legal standing. The committee also moved to streamline the amendment process for townships only adding the prosecutor's data center language. Regional Planning Commission Secretary Darrel Severns is consulting legal counsel to confirm whether townships can bypass the Land Use Committee and proceed directly to the full commission for such specific changes. The RPC members ultimately approved the data center revisions, alongside other unrelated zoning amendments for College and Liberty townships.