People in McDonald double down on data center concerns after moratorium
Residents in the Village of McDonald are maintaining pressure on local leaders regarding data center development, despite the recent enactment of a moratorium. They are pushing for their health, noise, and environmental concerns to be addressed before any future proposals, like the one previously presented by Oppidan, can advance. The village is currently reviewing zoning ordinances and rules for data center-like businesses.
The Village of McDonald, Ohio, has enacted a moratorium on data center development, a move welcomed by local residents. However, residents are not letting up on their concerns, urging local leaders to comprehensively address potential impacts from any future proposals.
This follows a proposed plan by Minnesota-based company Oppidan to establish a large data center complex that would occupy a significant portion of the village's land. Residents, including Sam Frazzini and Dorothy Hannon, voiced alarm over the project's scale and potential health and noise impacts, emphasizing the need for robust health and safety considerations.
Council and planning commission member Brian Bosheff acknowledged resident concerns, stating that leaders are actively working to ensure safety and are reviewing zoning ordinances for properties to establish clearer rules and regulations for data centers, which are currently lacking in the village. Residents are also calling for an environmental assessment to study the cumulative effects of multiple data centers on their community. Oppidan has not yet submitted a formal application or site plan.