MASSILLON – A number of people voiced opinions related to new data center zoning options under consideration by City Council with support appearing strongly in favor of pro-business regulation.
In part of a June 1 regular meeting, City Council gave first reading to legislation that would set guidelines for developers to follow prior to construction of a new facility. Debate among members is expected to run several more weeks prior to a vote.
Councilman Seth Marcum, R-Ward 1, said additions to the city’s zoning proposal are likely coming to further address noise and other concerns.
“This (legislation) is step one out of 100,” he said. “We’re not just letting someone in.”
Overall, about 60 people attended the council session, and 10 spoke publicly. Nine speakers voiced support for new zoning measures pertaining to data centers. Most were worker union representatives or members favoring jobs provided by facility construction.
One person not in favor of data centers asked council to take more time before making a decision on zoning.
The city’s proposed legislation aims to define smaller-scale data centers as 100,000 square feet or less per parcel, and larger ones as 100,000 square feet or more. Smaller centers would be assigned light-industrial (I-1) zoning, while larger structures fall under heavy industrial (I-2.)
An example of a local 100,000 square-foot building would be the Massillon Recreation Center.
Utilities such as electric, water and wastewater must be in line prior to the city signing off on construction plans for a data center, according to the zoning proposal. Varying setbacks for larger and smaller data centers from residential districts are also part of the legislation.
More discussion on the zoning issue is slated for council’s next work session, which is June 8.
Opinions shared on data center construction at Massillon meeting
Erik Hann, a representative of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 540, called for City Council to approve zoning measures for data centers, noting that many factory jobs in Stark County have disappeared in recent years.
“Construction employment is permanent, and homes and infrastructure jobs never stop,” said Hann. “It’s irresponsible to throw away billions of dollars of infrastructure (by dismissing data centers).”
Donald Scott called the building of data centers a great opportunity for economic development and a provider of “full-time staffing for those who work there.”
Amanda Hummel asked council to stop data centers and conduct an independent study related to their health and safety.
“We really don’t know what they reallly do,” she said. “We need more than just data centers. They’re not our future.”
Planned data centers have been a concern to many Stark County residents since late 2025, as one is in the works for Perry Township.
A data center developer also is looking at the Massillon Technology and Energy Park ― the former site of Republic Steel ― as a potential location down the road. That region is zoned heavy industrial.
Reach Steven Grazier at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Data center legislation talk continues before Massillon City Council
Reporting by Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent / The Independent
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