Grove City passes a 1-year moratorium on data centers
Grove City councilmembers voted to pass a one-year moratorium on data centers, prompted by strong resident opposition and concerns over a proposed project by Headwaters Site Development. Residents cited worries about increased utility bills and water usage. Despite a previous warning of legal action, developers stated they will not sue and still hope to work with the city.
Grove City, Ohio's councilmembers have enacted a one-year moratorium on data center development, with a six-to-one vote on Monday evening. This decision follows significant community opposition to a proposed data center by Headwaters Site Development, planned for an area partially encompassing Pleasant and Jackson Townships, both of which have already implemented similar moratoriums.
Hundreds of Grove City residents attended the council meeting, protesting and expressing concerns about potential impacts on natural resources, particularly water, and rising utility costs. Developers for Headwaters Site Development attempted to address these fears, suggesting limits on water use and promising that the eventual data center operator would cover additional power expenses. They also highlighted the potential for 250 permanent jobs and hundreds of construction jobs.
While developers had previously sent a letter suggesting a moratorium could violate their due process rights, Mike Lebow, co-founder of Headwaters Site Development, stated after the vote that they would not pursue legal action. He affirmed the company's commitment to the project, expressing a desire to collaborate with the city throughout the moratorium period and convince the council of the project's community benefits. The city plans to review the moratorium's progress in six months.