What Hubbard City Council is doing after passing moratorium on data centers
Hubbard and Cortland City Councils in Ohio have unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on data center development, primarily in response to public opposition against "Project Milo." This pause allows officials to research the impacts of data centers, including noise, power costs, and tax implications, before making long-term decisions.
Hubbard City Council and Cortland City Council in Ohio have both enacted a 12-month moratorium on data center development, effective Monday night. Hubbard City Council's unanimous vote was a direct response to "Project Milo," which generated significant public opposition. Council members cited public sentiment and a lack of understanding about data centers as key reasons for the pause, with Councilwoman Robin Zambrini stating the need to learn more about their impacts.
Hubbard City Council President Mike Mogg emphasized the necessity of the moratorium for due diligence, noting that a data center company had been "very evasive" over two years of discussions and that hundreds of residents attended meetings to express their disapproval. Mayor Ben Kyle supports the moratorium to prevent detrimental development and allows for observation of state-level actions.
During the moratorium, city officials, including Zambrini and Councilman Jerome Crowe, plan to tour a data center in New Albany, Ohio, and investigate various aspects such as noise, size, proximity to homes, and infrastructure demands. Mogg also expressed a desire to speak with residents in communities impacted by existing data centers to gather direct feedback.
Further questions remain regarding potential increases in electrical costs, benefits for homeowners, and the impact of tax abatements often granted to data centers, particularly for smaller communities like Hubbard. Mayor Kyle, despite private discussions with a data center company, confirmed no official proposal was ever received. Zambrini encouraged continued community involvement in council meetings.