Cincinnati officials are collecting public feedback as they prepare possible changes to city zoning to regulate data centers.
The process has included two public meetings and an ongoing online survey.
The Planning Department is working on a zoning study to research how other cities are zoning for data centers. Eventually, the body will submit recommendations for how to define a data center and where they should be allowed within the city.
"The purpose of the zoning study is to define data center in the zoning code, determine which zoning districts may be appropriate for data centers, and establish development regulations on data center size, form, etc.," said Senior City Planner Sophia Ferries-Rowe. "We also know that there are concerns regarding data centers that are outside the scope of the zoning code, and so the final report will also include some policy recommendations for other departments to explore."
Earlier this year, City Council approved temporary rules that are in place until February. That means new and expanding data centers have to go through an extra layer of review and get approval from the Planning Commission.
The first draft of zoning recommendations is expected to be ready in November and will be made available for more feedback.
Ferries-Rowe says the goal is to have the final draft before Planning Commission by Jan. 15, and to City Council by Feb. 2.
What residents are saying
Dozens of residents attended a virtual public meeting on Oct. 1, and an in-person meeting at the Walnut Hills branch library on Oct. 19.
Many came with questions about environmental impacts, rising electricity costs and other concerns. Some wanted to know if the city could outright block the development of data centers.
"I guess my question is, can we just say no? Can we just say no to these data centers?" one person asked at the in-person meeting, to a round of cheers and applause from other attendees.
Ferries-Rowe told the crowd there are eight small-sized data centers in the city limits and no current proposals for more.
Some concerns go beyond what zoning code can regulate.
Walnut Hills resident Kathryne Gardette asked what kinds of development agreements the city's eight existing data centers struck, and whether better deals for the city could be made in the future.
"I wonder if any of those operators have a community benefits agreement with the city?" Gardette said. "Will you weave into that, that there is a benefit — if it's going to be that we're going to have a data center, what is going to be the benefit to the city?"
How to give public input
You can submit feedback in writing by filling out the form on the city's web page for this zoning study.
The city held two public meetings in October. Presentation slides are available on the city website. A recording of the virtual meeting, held Oct. 1, is included below:
Each meeting included an update on the zoning study progress, moderated Q&A based on questions submitted during registration, and a "listening session" for attendees to share input.
Temporary regulations & future changes
The city's current zoning code does not define a data center; meaning there's no consistent way to review applications for a new data center, or expanding an existing data center.
Earlier this year, the Cincinnati Planning Commission and then Cincinnati City Council approved an Interim Development Control (IDC) Overlay District. It establishes an additional layer of review for new or expanding data centers.
The IDC only covers areas of the city in which data centers could be permitted today (as indoor storage facilities). It includes six zoning districts with more than 22,000 individual parcels.
The additional review process is in effect for applications for building permits, certificates of compliance, or certificates of appropriateness for new construction, expansion, changes in use, or site improvements to a data center.
Without the IDC, those applications would be approved administratively. While the IDC is in place, those applications are reviewed by the Planning Department and submitted to the Planning Commission for approval. The review process includes several factors:
- Neighborhood compatibility and community character
- Zoning
- Power and utility coordination
- Water use and availability
- Stormwater management
- Guidelines adopted by Council for the district
- Conformity to any neighborhood, urban design or other plan adopted by Council
- Consistency with any proposed zoning amendments
- Adverse effects on access to the property by public services, traffic conditions, sonic impacts, air quality, etc.
- Public benefits
Read more:
- St. Bernard approves data center moratorium; Ivorydale proposal could still happen
- What we do and don't know about the environmental impact of data centers
- City Council approves 9-month extension for temporary data center regulations
- MSD says summer storms, electric prices are driving up operating costs
