Urbana data center zoning vote
The Urbana City Council in Ohio unanimously voted to change a property's zoning back to its original classification, preventing a data center from being built. This decision came after significant community opposition, though a lawsuit filed by the developer is still active. A moratorium study committee is also working on recommendations for future data center regulation.
The Urbana City Council in Champaign County, Ohio, unanimously voted to rezone a plot of land back to its original classification, effectively preventing a proposed data center from being built there. The decision came after hours of public testimony and months of community members attending council meetings to express their opposition. Mayor Bill Being declined to comment on the vote. The 6-0 vote changes the zoning code from "principal use" to "conditional," giving Urbana residents more control over future developments.
Despite this local victory for the community, an active case remains open in the Champaign County Common Pleas Court, filed by the company that sought to build the data center. Additionally, a moratorium study committee is expected to complete its recommendations, which the council could then adopt as legislation.