Rose Hill eyes data center ban
The Rose Hill City Council is deliberating a petition to ban data centers in the community, with a decision anticipated on October 5th. Current regulations already significantly restrict suitable locations for data centers due to infrastructure and size requirements. The council must decide whether to allow a public vote on the ban or prepare for a potential legal challenge from petitioners.
The Rose Hill City Council is currently evaluating a citizen-initiated petition calling for a ban on data centers within the community. This matter was discussed at a council meeting on September 21, where City Administrator Mark Deter reported that existing data center regulations, adopted in 2017, already prohibit such facilities in most agricultural, residential, multi-family, and industrial zones.
Deter indicated that the remaining permissible areas are insufficient in size and lack the necessary infrastructure for data center development. A decision from the council is expected on October 5, presenting two main options: either allow citizens to vote on the proposed data center ban or prepare to engage in a legal battle with the petitioners if the ban is not moved forward. Concurrently, the Butler County Planning and Zoning Commission is also planning to formally adopt its own data center regulations at its first meeting in October.