City of Findlay Seeks Public Feedback on Proposed Data Center Zoning Ordinance

The City of Findlay’s Mayor’s Office is encouraging Findlay residents to review the proposed Data Center Zoning Ordinance and provide feedback.

Under Ohio law, municipalities cannot simply prohibit an otherwise lawful land use.

Instead, they must establish reasonable zoning regulations that determine where a use may be considered and the standards it must meet.

In order to take a proactive approach, Findlay has developed a Proposed Data Center Zoning Ordinance.

City officials said the ordinance would allow data centers only as a Conditional Use within the City’s I-3 Large Scale Industrial District, requiring extensive review and project-specific conditions before any approval could occur.

Officials said there are currently no properties within Findlay city limits zoned I-3.

The proposed ordinance is designed to:

-Require every proposal to undergo a thorough public review process.

-Protect water, sewer, stormwater, electric, and transportation infrastructure.

-Minimize impacts related to noise, lighting, aesthetics, and environmental quality.

-Promote compatibility with surrounding land uses.

-Require applicants to demonstrate that adequate infrastructure is available before development.

-Ensure responsible environmental stewardship.

The proposed ordinance does NOT:

-Approve construction of a data center.

-Rezone any property.

-Authorize development on a specific site.

-Eliminate future public hearings.

-Guarantee approval of any future application.

The City said their goal is to establish clear standards that protect residents, infrastructure, and the environment while ensuring any future proposal receives careful review before any decision is made.

To learn more and provide feedback, please click here.

The full Proposed Data Center Ordinance as of 7.22.26 can be found below.