Chillicothe City Council Reverses Course, Lifts Moratorium on Data Centers
Chillicothe City Council voted 8-1 to lift a recently enacted 60-day moratorium on data centers, reversing an earlier unanimous decision. The reversal came after council members were presented with a letter confirming that the proposed data center project at the former US Paper Mill site was permissible under the city's Unified Development Code. The decision re-opens the door for Alignment Engine's proposed data hall.
The Chillicothe City Council has voted 8-1 to lift a 60-day moratorium on data centers, reversing a unanimous vote made on August 24. This decision clears a potential hurdle for a proposed data center facility by Alignment Engine at the former US Paper Mill site.
The council's turnaround followed the discovery of a letter from the city to paper mill officials earlier this year, which confirmed that under Chillicothe’s new Unified Development Code (UDC), data centers were permitted on the property. Seven council members stated they had not seen this document until a committee meeting on Monday, after Alignment Engine had already met with city leaders and residents.
During the public session, local residents and workers from the paper mill site spoke in favor of the development. Councilmember Julie Preston cited the newly discovered letter as her reason for reconsidering her position, leading to a formal motion to lift the moratorium. The subsequent 8-1 vote effectively repealed the ban.
While the temporary moratorium has been lifted, Chillicothe officials are still expected to update the city's UDC to establish permanent guidelines and limits for future data centers within city limits.