Data center issue likely to dominate Hubbard council meeting
A proposed data center, Project Milo, is facing significant community opposition in Hubbard, Ohio, ahead of a City Council meeting. Residents are concerned about a non-disclosure agreement hiding the developer's identity and the project's potential impact on the area. Hubbard Township has enacted a data center moratorium, but the proposed site within city limits is exempt.
The Hubbard City Council meeting is set to address community concerns surrounding a proposed technology development, Project Milo, in Hubbard, Ohio. Mayor Ben Kyle has invited residents to the session following public criticism over a non-disclosure agreement he signed in December 2024.
The agreement prevents city officials from revealing the identity of the company considering Hubbard for the data center, prompting opponents to argue it limits transparency and withholds vital information from the public. Mayor Kyle defended the NDA as a standard economic development tool, stating it allows city utility departments to review technical requirements without disclosing proprietary data. He maintains neutrality on the project, noting that no formal proposal has yet been submitted.
The potential development has stirred opposition from residents and township officials, with organizers gathering signatures for a petition against the project, citing concerns about its impact on the area's rural character. The dispute centers on the former Deer Creek golf course, which was annexed into the city decades ago.
Because the land is within city limits, it is not subject to a one-year data center moratorium recently enacted by Hubbard Township trustees. Township Trustee Jason Tedrow criticized the non-disclosure agreement, emphasizing the importance of public input. City officials clarified that any formal proposal must first be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission before going to the City Council for a final vote, with data centers currently restricted to industrial zoning areas under existing city codes.