Home / Business and Economy / Massillon Delays Data Center Vote
Massillon Delays Data Center Vote
7 Jul
Summary
- City Council postponed a final vote on data center zoning rules.
- New amendments require 400-foot setbacks from residential areas.
- Developers must prove utility capacity and noise certifications.
Massillon City Council has opted to postpone a final vote on new zoning legislation that would permit data centers within the city. This decision, made on July 6, means the proposed rules will revert to their first reading, extending the deliberation period by at least two weeks. The council aims to further scrutinize conditions and limitations for data centers.
Significant amendments introduced include defining smaller data centers as 100,000 square feet or less and larger ones as exceeding that threshold. These facilities will exclusively be assigned to heavy-industrial (I-2) zoning regions, away from residential zones, with increased setback requirements of 400 feet. Developers must now demonstrate sufficient water, electric, and wastewater capacity, alongside peak noise certifications, in their site plans.
Additionally, the city's site plan review committee will have the authority to revisit any utility-related issues that may arise post-construction. These changes come as data centers are becoming a growing concern in Stark County, with a project underway in Perry Township and another developer eyeing the Massillon Technology and Energy Park.
