City planners suggest total ban on data centers in Dayton
Dayton city commissioners are moving forward with a plan to ban new data center developments that are the primary use of a site. This follows a temporary moratorium and a recommendation from city staff to implement a total ban due to concerns about noise, traffic, and resource usage. The city's planning board has already approved the proposed zoning changes, with final approval expected from commissioners soon.
The Dayton City Commission is advancing a plan to enact a total ban on data center developments that constitute a site's primary use, following a six-month moratorium on permit considerations that was imposed in April. The proposed zoning changes, which aim to prohibit buildings of 100,000 square feet or more primarily used as data centers, were discussed during a public hearing on Wednesday. City staff, including Dayton City Planner Jeff Green, recommended the total ban, clarifying it would not affect "Accessory Use" server rooms for existing businesses. The initiative has garnered support from some neighborhood groups, such as Old North Dayton.
However, Commissioner Daryl Fairchild expressed concerns about the potential impact on larger local employers requiring significant IT resources. The rationale behind the ban stems from worries about noise and traffic impacts on residential areas, as many industrial zones in Dayton are located close to homes. Residents, including Talib Pettaway, have also raised concerns regarding the substantial electrical and water consumption of data centers, even considering potential run-off issues from developments in nearby cities. The city's planning board has already approved these proposed zoning changes, and city commissioners, having indicated their support, are expected to formally approve them within the next couple of weeks.