Ontario City Council passes data center moratorium, alongside sewer improvements and more
News ClipRichland Source·Ontario, Richland County, OH·5/7/2026
The Ontario City Council has enacted a six-month moratorium on new data center applications, particularly those supporting artificial intelligence. This preemptive measure addresses concerns from a neighboring community and aligns with ongoing state legislative efforts to regulate data center development through Ohio House Bill 646.
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Gov: Ontario City Council, Ohio State Senate, Ohio House of Representatives
The Ontario City Council in Ohio has approved a six-month moratorium on data center developments, specifically targeting applications related to artificial intelligence. Council President Eddie Gallo stated the move is a "preemptive measure," noting that data center developers had previously approached property owners in the city. The decision also considers the broader impact of data centers, referencing issues in a neighboring community.
Service-Safety Director Michael Morton highlighted the relevance of Ohio House Bill 646, currently under consideration in the state senate, which proposes establishing a data center study commission and regulations for data center construction across Ohio. Morton indicated that the moratorium allows the city time to observe the findings and potential outcomes of the state-level legislation. The article also covered other city council actions, including sewer improvements and a waiver for the service-safety director's residency requirement.