Development committee to lift local marijuana moratorium; data-center planning discussed

Members of Pataskala’s development committee reported on a recent meeting with the planning and zoning commission that included discussion of a proposed data center and potential next steps. According to the committee report, planning and zoning offered feedback to inform criteria the council may use for developer plans going forward.

During the committee update a council member said the city is prepared to end its local marijuana moratorium because "the state level cannot figure out exactly what they're gonna do with it," and continuing a local moratorium while state regulations remain uncertain no longer made sense. The committee indicated the moratorium will be lifted until the state clarifies its approach, and staff will return with any proposed amendments or criteria as needed.

The discussion was recorded as part of committee reports rather than a formal ordinance or vote at this meeting. Council members and staff noted the committee will follow up with planning and zoning and develop criteria for future proposals; no specific timeline or ordinance text to effect the moratorium’s end was recorded in the meeting minutes.