City planner study would define ‘data center’ for zoning purposes.
Cincinnati officials are looking into how to regulate data centers.
On March 31, the Cincinnati Housing and Growth committee reviewed a presentation by City Planner Sophia Ferries-Rowe regarding data centers. The city planner’s office wants to define “data center” in the city zoning code because there is no explicit definition currently in it.
City Council in February approved a plan for a three-month Interim Development Control Overlay District (IDC). After the presentation, the Housing and Growth Committee agreed to extend the IDC an additional nine months while the study is still underway. Council approved the measure at the following general body meeting.
The study, according to the IDC plans, is being conducted in response to rapid construction of data centers nationwide as demand for artificial intelligence and cloud services increases. Data centers could have the potential to adversely impact living conditions, energy costs and quality of life in the city, the city planner stated in her report.
Ferries-Rowe’s presentation included a map of the IDC district. It highlights the areas in zoning districts that currently allow indoor storage, because that is how data center applications are classified. The district includes more than 22,000 parcels, according to a city planner staff report.
The IDC devised by the city planner’s office shows where data centers could go under current city zoning. The office is working on a study to recommend proper zoning for potential data centers.
The IDC will temporarily regulate the establishment of uses, construction of new buildings, or demolition or alterations of existing buildings in areas where potential development “could be detrimental or have adverse impacts” if data center plans were to be approved.
During the meeting, Vice Mayor Jan Michele Lemon-Kearney and Council Member Ryan James both noted the environmental impact of data centers and rising energy bills. Kearney stressed health equity in decisions the city will make going forward.
“This [study] allows for further review by Planning Commission, and it also gives the public an opportunity to speak on an issue that typically, if something’s just applying for a permit that would go through buildings and inspections – there isn’t that public forum, so this creates that opportunity as well,” Ferries-Rowe said.
The committee and the city planner did not say whether any data centers were being planned or whether the city has received any applications. As of the time of the committee meeting, no public forums have been announced.