Council approves data center moratorium

Village cites concerns over water use, infrastructure and community impact

Exterior view of a government building with an American flag.
Carrollton Village Council members meet April 27 and approved a moratorium on data centers, citing concerns about water use and infrastructure demands.
Published

Carrollton Village Council approved a moratorium on data centers within village limits April 27, citing concerns about water usage, infrastructure demands and potential impacts on residents.

Ordinance 2026-10 states that data centers require significant energy, water and infrastructure capacity that could strain the village’s resources and lead to increased utility rates. It also notes potential environmental impacts and limited economic benefit compared to the demands such facilities would place on the community.

Council determined the moratorium is in the interest of public health, safety and welfare and will prohibit data centers within the village.

In department reports, Carrollton Fire Department responded to 18 calls between March 23 and April 26, bringing the year-to-date total to 132 incidents.

The calls included three fires, six rescue or medical calls, including two lift assists, four hazardous condition calls, four service calls and five “good intent” calls. The department also handled two false alarms.

The Carrollton Police Department reported 307 calls for service during the month. Officers issued 12 citations and investigated seven traffic crashes, including one with a possible injury.

Police also handled 25 incident reports, many involving property maintenance and nuisance complaints, and made three operating a vehicle impaired arrests. The department recently completed its recertification with the Ohio Collaborative, and K9 Shiva completed annual certification.

In other business, council:

—HEARD Village Administrator Chris Kiehl report that contractors have visited storm-damaged areas and are preparing quotes for repairs to the safety building and the Veterans Club pavilion, along with replacement of the flag in Public Square.

—LEARNED a planning meeting is scheduled for May 11 to review the Third Street replat of the former school property and other zoning matters.

—PAID $132,104.09 in vendor bills and $65,039.87 in payroll. Also paid was $19,345 in payments without prior certification.