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Article Summary
Cincinnati City Council approved a temporary development control measure to regulate data center zoning and require extra review of proposals. The data center zoning pause aims to fill gaps in the city’s code, address energy and community concerns, and guide future long-term rules. Council emphasized this is not a ban but a thoughtful interim step while a zoning study and possible permanent standards are developed.
Data center zoning now requires extra review under a temporary pause.
Cincinnati City Council voted unanimously this week to establish a temporary data center zoning control measure that pauses by-right development of new data centers.
Officials also rework how these facilities are defined and regulated in the city’s zoning code.
The move comes amid rising attention to how large computing facilities affect energy use, community impacts and land planning.
Council members and planning officials stressed the measure is not a ban but a deliberate step. The data center zoning pause triggers more extensive review of proposals and gives planners time to study long-term regulation standards.
Why Cincinnati acted on data center zoning
City planners told council members that current zoning treats data centers as offices or warehouses — categories that don’t accurately reflect their needs or impacts. The absence of a clear definition makes it difficult to control where and how facilities are built.
At a special Housing and Growth Committee session, City Planning Division Manager Stacy Hoffman noted there is “no definition for data centers in our zoning right now.”
Councilman Mark Jeffreys, who championed the interim control, said the city must be “deliberate and thoughtful” about regulating data centers as demand for these facilities grows with technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearny emphasized planning must consider community health and quality of life, while other council members raised concerns about how large facilities could affect neighborhood energy costs.
What the pause entails
Under the approved Interim Development Control (IDC) Overlay, developers proposing new data centers or expansions must now receive additional review by the City Planning Commission before approvals. It applies to building permits, certificates of compliance, and site improvements.
The IDC initially lasts three months and can extend up to one year while the city conducts a zoning study that may shape permanent code changes.
Council members stressed the measure doesn’t ban data centers. Jeffreys reiterated that companies can still seek approval but must go through a more robust review process rather than proceeding by right.
Local and regional context
Although Cincinnati doesn’t currently have major upcoming data center projects within city limits, officials cited the experience of neighboring jurisdictions. Nearby City Council debates, such as in Wilmington where residents protested a proposed Amazon data center, highlight how Ohio cities are balancing growth and community concerns.
In other parts of the country, local governments are also tightening data center rules. For example, Manassas, Virginia, has introduced zoning amendments requiring noise studies, stronger design standards, and larger setbacks for industrial facilities like data centers.
What Cincinnati’s next steps could look like
City planners and council members will use the interim period to:
- Define “data center” clearly in the zoning code.
- Determine where facilities can be located and under what conditions.
- Develop standards for energy, traffic, water use, and neighborhood compatibility.
- Gather public input on community priorities and concerns.
- Officials hope this will result in a zoning framework that provides clarity for developers and safeguards for residents.
FAQs
What does the data center zoning pause do?
The pause requires extra zoning review for new or expanded data centers while the city studies how to regulate them. It is temporary and not a ban.
How long will the interim zoning control last?
It lasts three months initially and may extend up to a year as the city completes its study and proposes permanent regulations.
Why is Cincinnati updating data center regulations?
Cincinnati’s current code lacks a clear definition for data centers, treating them as offices or warehouses. The update aims to address community, energy and land use concerns.
Will this affect existing data centers?
No. The measure focuses on future proposals. Existing facilities continue operations but future expansions may face added review.
Can data center developers still apply for projects?
Yes. They can still apply but must undergo additional planning review rather than automatic approvals.
