Last night, Cuyahoga Falls City Council passed legislation (10-1) establishing new standards for data center development in the City. The regulations prohibit large-scale data centers while preserving opportunities for manufacturing and industrial businesses to house their own smaller data facilities.
“Owning our own electric and water utilities gives us a unique ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of our community,” said Mayor Don Walters. “These regulations allow us to be thoughtful about future development while ensuring our resources remain available to serve our residents and current businesses.”
Today's manufacturing and industrial facilities increasingly rely on high-tech equipment, digital systems, and network storage capabilities to support their operations. Allowing appropriately sized data centers within designated employment and manufacturing districts helps ensure Cuyahoga Falls remains an attractive location for these businesses, supporting both the retention of existing employers and the attraction of new investment.
Under the new regulations, data centers will be subject to the following restrictions and requirements:
• Permitted Locations: Data centers will only be permitted in the E-1 Employment District and M-1 Manufacturing District.
• Building Size: Individual data center buildings may not exceed 5,000 square feet. No more than one data center building is permitted on a single property.
• Electricity and Water: Maximum electrical demand is limited to five megawatts (MW) at any given time, an amount that does not exceed the electrical demand of the City’s existing customer base. Water consumption will be subject to approval, along with any additional requirements established by the City's Electric and Water Departments.
• Expansion and Increased Utility Demand: Any expansion of a physical facility or increase in electricity demand or water consumption will require additional approval from the City's Electric and Water Departments.
• Noise: Noise levels measured at the data center property line may not exceed 70 decibels (dBA).
• Air Quality: Dust, dirt, fly ash, and other particulate matter must be controlled in accordance with applicable Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) air pollution standards.
• Water Quality: Discharges into bodies of water, streams, or onto the ground must comply with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) water pollution control standards and applicable discharge permit requirements.
• Hazardous and Toxic Materials: The release of toxic or noxious materials that could threaten public health, safety, general welfare, or the natural environment is prohibited. The use and storage of hazardous or regulated materials must be reported to the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department using the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheets. Storage, use, and disposal must comply with applicable OEPA standards and requirements.
Balancing Economic Development and Infrastructure Protection
"This legislation strikes an important balance,” said Council President Russ Balthis. “We recognize that local manufacturers and industrial businesses need access to technology and supporting infrastructure, but we also need to ensure that development is appropriately scaled and does not place unnecessary demands on our community."
These regulations reflect the City's commitment to responsible economic development and long-term infrastructure planning. By establishing clear limits and standards on data centers, Cuyahoga Falls can protect its community resources without creating unnecessary barriers for the manufacturing and industrial businesses that contribute to the local economy.
This approach allows the city to protect what makes Cuyahoga Falls a strong place to do business while continuing to create opportunities for future growth.