Overview 

The City of Findlay is committed to encouraging responsible economic development while protecting the long-term interests of our residents, businesses, and public infrastructure.

As new industries continue to evolve, including the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, communities across the country are seeing increased interest from companies seeking locations for large-scale data centers. Under Ohio Law Municipalities cannot issue a blanket denial of a specific business type. Ohio zoning law requires municipalities to regulate land uses through reasonable zoning standards. Courts have consistently held that municipalities generally cannot prohibit an otherwise lawful land use without a valid legal basis. Rather than leaving future proposals unregulated, the City is proposing standards that establish where data centers could be considered and what requirements must be met before any approval could occur.

To proactively prepare for these opportunities, the City has developed a Proposed Data Center Zoning Ordinance that establishes where data centers may locate, how they are reviewed, and what standards they must meet before receiving approval. The ordinance would allow data centers only as a Conditional Use within the City's I-3 Large Scale Industrial District, subject to extensive review and project-specific conditions. There are no parcels currently zoned as I-3 in Findlay city limits. 

The City's goal is to establish clear, predictable standards that protect residents, public infrastructure, environmental resources, and surrounding properties while ensuring any future proposal receives a thorough public review before any decision is made. 

Proposed Data Center Ordinance as of 7.22.26

Mayor Muryn Letter to Council 3.31.26

The proposed ordinance is intended to:

• Ensure each proposal is evaluated on its own merits rather than receiving automatic approval.
• Minimize impacts related to noise, lighting, aesthetics, and environmental quality.
• Ensure good environmental stewardship
• Protect public water, sewer, stormwater, electric, and transportation infrastructure.
• Ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses.
• Require applicants to demonstrate that necessary infrastructure improvements are in place before development occurs.
• Provide transparency through a public review process.

The proposed ordinance does NOT: 

• Approve construction of a data center. 
• Rezone any property. 
• Authorize a specific property. 
• Eliminate future public hearings. 
• Guarantee approval of any future application. 

Conditional Use Review ProcessFrequently Asked Questions 

What is a data center?

A data center is a facility that houses computer servers and networking equipment used to process, store, and transmit digital information.

Many everyday online services including email, banking, streaming, cloud storage, healthcare systems, artificial intelligence, and business operations depend on data centers. The draft ordinance defines a data center and distinguishes it from ordinary server rooms that are accessory to another use.

Why are data centers becoming more common?

Demand for digital services continues to grow because of:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Cloud computing
• Online commerce
• Financial services
• Medical technology
• Manufacturing automation
• Government information systems

These technologies require significant computing capacity.

Do data centers create jobs?

Data centers typically create:

• Construction jobs during development.
• Permanent technical and facility maintenance positions.
• Indirect economic activity through suppliers, contractors, and supporting businesses.

The number of permanent employees varies depending on the size and type of facility.

Do data centers operate 24 hours a day?

Yes. Most operate continuously throughout the year to maintain digital services.

Infrastructure

Why is electricity such an important issue?

Large data centers can require significant electrical capacity.

The ordinance requires applicants to demonstrate that electrical service can be provided without materially impairing electric reliability, emergency services, planned growth, or surrounding properties.

Would a data center raise my utility rates?

Any future project would be required to demonstrate that utility services can be provided without materially impairing reliability or planned growth.

Will the City evaluate impacts on water usage?

Yes.

Applicants must submit detailed water usage reports describing:

• Average daily demand
• Peak demand
• Cooling technology
• Water conservation measures
• Wastewater characteristics
• Impacts on public utilities

The Planning Commission cannot approve a project unless it determines the City's water and wastewater systems can adequately serve it.

Are certain cooling technologies encouraged?

Yes. The draft ordinance generally requires closed-loop or other water-efficient cooling systems. Once-through cooling systems are prohibited unless specifically approved by City Council following additional review, and groundwater withdrawal for cooling is prohibited.

Who pays for infrastructure improvements?

The ordinance requires applicants to identify needed infrastructure improvements and generally makes the applicant responsible for improvements and mitigation measures necessary to serve the project where legally permissible. Development agreements may also address infrastructure responsibilities.

Community Protections

Does the ordinance address noise?

Yes. The ordinance establishes maximum noise limits, requires an acoustical study before construction, and allows the City to require post-construction testing. It also limits routine generator testing to specified daytime hours, except during emergencies.

Does it regulate lighting?

Yes. Exterior lighting must be shielded downward and limited to specified light levels at property lines to reduce glare and light trespass.

Are landscaping and appearance addressed?

Yes. The ordinance requires extensive landscaping, screening, preservation of natural features where practicable, architectural design standards, and coordinated site improvements intended to reduce visual impacts and improve compatibility with surrounding areas.

How close could a data center be to homes?

The draft ordinance requires major buildings and equipment including cooling equipment, substations, battery storage systems, and generators to be located at least 1,000 feet (slightly over 3 football fields) from residential zoning districts or residential uses, as well as schools, parks, hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.

Does the ordinance address emergency response?

Yes. Applicants must submit emergency response plans addressing fire protection, hazardous materials, battery systems, fuel storage, backup power, emergency access, and coordination with local emergency responders.

Long-Term Operations

What happens if a data center expands?

Any significant increase in building area, electrical demand, water demand, sewer demand, equipment, or operational intensity generally requires an amendment to the Conditional Use approval and additional City review.

What if a data center closes?

The ordinance requires a decommissioning plan before final site plan approval. Facilities that cease operation for 12 consecutive months may be considered abandoned, and the City may require financial assurance to guarantee removal and site restoration obligations.

Additional Questions

Where can I read the proposed ordinance?

The complete draft ordinance is available on this page and may also be reviewed at the City of Findlay Municipal Building.

How can I provide comments?

Residents may submit feedback via the form below, by email (HRPC@FindlayOhio.gov), or by attending City Planning Commission meetings when the topic is being discussed. Meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month at 9am in Findlay City Council Chambers (318 Dorney Plaza).