MASSILLON – Officials plan to extend an existing stay on data centers to allow more time to mull zoning changes aimed at permitting such facilities in the city.
The city’s 60-day stay on data center construction is set to expire June 22. In part of a June 8 work session, City Council proposed extending the moratorium another two months.
“I think it’s worth pumping the brakes (some) to get the right (zoning) legislation in place,” said Councilwoman Julie Harwig-Smith, R-Ward 5. … “There are so many citizens in my ward that I’ve talked to who are not for this (data centers).”
Council’s next regular meeting is June 15, when a vote to consider extending the stay is likely to occur.
Council debated proposed zoning legislation regarding data centers for nearly an hour during the June 8 session. Inserting strict electric, water, noise and sewer guidelines on developers was a significant part of the discussion.
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.)
Council members seem to favor focusing solely on I-2 zoning for data centers, partly because heavily industrial regions are farther from residential areas.
“I-2 sounds like a winner to me,” said Councilman Eric Ray, D-Ward 2.
Planned data centers are an ongoing concern to many Stark County residents, as one is underway in Perry Township.
A data center developer also has eyes on the Massillon Technology and Energy Park ― the former site of Republic Steel ― as a potential location down the road. That area is zoned heavy industrial.
Councilman Mike Gregg, R-Ward 3, reminded members that the zoning changes being considered are “not (summarily) saying yes or no to data centers in Massillon.” Each application for a facility would have to be considered by the city Planning Commission.
“This (zoning proposal) is the first step for setting up rules and controls for when opportunities arise,” Gregg said.
The legislation is up for second reading consideration by council at its next regular meeting, slated June 15.
Reach Steven Grazier at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon council to extend data center stay for further zoning talks
Reporting by Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent / The Independent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent | USA TODAY Network
