Findlay Data Center Zoning Proposal

The Mayor has asked for input on their idea of what they believe is a good set of guidelines. Councilwoman Kensinger has described their guidelines as medium strict. I believe most people want STRICT. Like so strict they don’t want to come here. Below are the bullet points for HB983. This bill is in the House and I think it has the best guardrails for data centers. The Mayors idea that each data center proposal should be looked at on a case by case task leaves too much wiggle room for shady favors for friendly developers.

Please take a look at the comparison below and consider writing to both our city council and our state representatives and ask them to support the strictest guidelines.

🗳 Citizen Approval

Findlay

No public vote required. Planning Commission decides.

HB983

Requires voter approval before qualifying projects or expansions.

⚡ Power Supply

Findlay

Must study grid impacts; may use public electric grid.

HB983

Requires data centers to provide their own power rather than shifting costs to other ratepayers.

💰 Tax Incentives

Findlay

Does not prohibit tax abatements or incentives.

HB983

Prohibits future local tax incentives for covered data centers.

📄 Public Transparency

Findlay

Development agreements may be negotiated but are not automatically public.

HB983

Makes development agreements public records.

🧪 Chemical Disclosure

Findlay

Limited disclosure requirements.

HB983

Requires disclosure of cooling and wastewater chemicals.

🌎 Environmental Testing

Findlay

Applicant provides studies reviewed by the city.

HB983

Requires independent environmental testing and public reporting.

💧 Water Protection

Findlay

No groundwater for cooling; detailed water-use reporting required.

HB983

Adds statewide environmental protections and liability for damage.

🏠 Distance from Homes

Findlay

1,000-foot minimum setback from homes, schools, parks, hospitals, and nursing homes.

HB983

No comparable statewide setback requirement.

🔊 Noise Limits

Findlay

Day: 55 dBA; Night: 45 dBA at residential property lines.

HB983

No comparable statewide noise limits.

🚧 Site Design

Findlay

Extensive rules for landscaping, lighting, screening, traffic, drainage, and decommissioning.

HB983

Focuses more on public policy than local site design.

💵 Infrastructure Costs

Findlay

Applicant generally responsible for improvements “where legally permissible.”

HB983

Expressly prevents shifting costs to taxpayers and ratepayers.

⚖ Liability

Findlay

Financial guarantees may be required by the city.

HB983

Creates statutory liability for damage to water supplies and infrastructure.