SUNBURY — Sunbury voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to prohibit the construction of large data centers within city limits.
A citizen-initiated charter amendment would prohibit construction of data centers with an aggregate monthly energy demand or peak load exceeding 25 megawatts. The ballot measure follows months of debate over a proposed Amazon data center complex.
A yes vote would add that restriction to Sunbury’s city charter. A no vote would leave the city’s existing laws and regulations governing data center development in place, subject to future changes.
Sunbury City Council voted unanimously in July to place the citizen-led amendment on the ballot.
A local group called Big Walnut for Responsible Growth led the signature collection to get the effort in front of city council. The Delaware County Board of Elections certified 351 valid signatures, more than double the 172 required.
Big Walnut for Responsible Growth posted the following statement on their Facebook:
“Voting yes empowers Sunbury residents to: Restrict data center size within city limits and prevent hyperscale development. Protect Sunbury’s rural character, environmental resources and well-being. Determine the future course of our community.”
The city also mailed information about the proposal to registered Sunbury voters Sept. 18.
In the letter, provided to Delaware Source by City Manager Daryl Hennessy, Clerk of Council Mindy Groves explained the proposed restriction and its potential effect on future development.
“Enclosed is a proposed amendment to the city of Sunbury charter that would prohibit the construction of data centers that have an aggregate monthly energy demand or peak load of more than 25 megawatts, however derived from any energy source, or a combination thereof,” Groves wrote in the letter.
Why 25 megawatts?
Conserve Ohio, a grassroots organization pushing for a similar statewide ballot measure in 2027, argues that 25 megawatts is the dividing line between smaller, community-friendly data centers and industrial-scale facilities that can consume as much electricity as a small town.
“Voting no would not adopt the charter amendment. The city’s existing laws and regulations, subject to future lawful changes, would govern the development of a data center,” Groves wrote.
How the data center debate reached the ballot
Before a charter amendment made it to this November’s ballot, Sunbury residents were speaking up.
City officials announced incentives for the proposed project in November 2024. The facility would be located on industrially zoned land within the Sunbury Business and Technology Park, east of Big Walnut Creek.
The city established the business park to diversify its tax base and encourage economic development. According to Groves’ letter, the Amazon proposal is the only economic development project announced for the park.
Residents have repeatedly raised concerns in council meetings and Planning and Zoning Commission meetings.
Many concerned comments from the public about the Amazon project centered around city officials’ transparency, with many questioning why council and others had to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
Others pointed to environmental issues, power and water usage, noise pollution, etc. as reasons why they didn’t think the project fit Sunbury.
In April, City Council approved a temporary moratorium on new data center development through Jan. 31, 2027.
The city has also held two special public meetings dedicated to data center issues.
A third meeting is scheduled for Oct. 22 in council chambers, with discussions expected to focus on air and noise pollution.
The proposed charter amendment would establish a restriction beyond the city’s temporary moratorium, if voters approve it Nov. 3.
