Pataskala meeting surfaces data‑center worries; commissioners consider recommending moratorium to council

Public comment at the Pataskala Planning & Zoning Commission meeting turned to data centers after the Forest Ridge hearing, with several residents urging the city to slow or halt approvals for large data‑center projects until state policy, grid upgrades and local code changes are clarified.

One resident characterized data‑center growth as a threat to community character and to electric and water infrastructure, saying large facilities can increase local utility costs and generate new noise and visual impacts. Commissioners acknowledged those concerns, said the municipal code does not currently address many data‑center impacts and discussed the commission’s options to respond.

Staff said the planning commission can forward a recommendation or request to city council but that an effective moratorium would require council action (an ordinance) and could not be applied retroactively to pending applications. Commissioners asked staff and the law director to draft possible language for a standalone motion to consider forwarding to council, and they discussed what such a referral would seek (a pause on new applications, code updates or a limited grandfathering approach).

No moratorium or ordinance vote occurred at the meeting; commissioners instructed staff to prepare possible language for a future agenda if the commission wishes to formally request council action.