Ohio Supreme Court rules in favor of Ashville residents over data centers
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ashville residents, allowing them to move closer to placing a data center ban on the November ballot. This decision removes a significant roadblock for residents who are fighting a development deal between the village and EdgeConneX, which the village council had tried to approve as an emergency.
The Ohio Supreme Court has sided with Ashville residents in their efforts to bring a data center ban to a November ballot vote. The ruling addresses a contentious development agreement between the Village of Ashville and EdgeConneX for the construction of two data centers, which village officials had attempted to push through by declaring it an emergency.
Residents successfully gathered 669 signatures, surpassing the requirement, to challenge the village council's resolution and initiate a referendum. The Supreme Court questioned the justification for the emergency declaration. Local advocate Corey Wasmus urged voters to be persistent in holding elected officials accountable, stating that the court's decision effectively removes a municipal obstacle to the ballot question.
While the ruling doesn't immediately halt data center construction or secure a spot on the ballot, it significantly clears the path for the referendum. According to an expert named Niven, this development means the ultimate decision regarding the data centers could rest with Ashville's residents. Niven also highlighted the broader implication for Ohio communities, suggesting that local governments will find it more challenging to disregard the will of their voters.