ST. ALBANS TOWNSHIP, Ohio

St. Albans Township held a public hearing on March 10 on a resolution that would effectively ban data centers in the township. Township Trustee Mike Washington called the hearing to order, read the resolution, and opened the floor for public comment. An official court reporter was on hand to document testimony. Twenty-five people attended the session.

TULSA, Oklahoma

Tulsa City Council heard a proposed ordinance on March 11 that would place a 365-day moratorium on agreements to build new data centers citywide.

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The moratorium would not affect projects already underway, including Project Anthem, an $800 million data center on about 340 acres in far east Tulsa. However, it could pause a potential second phase west of the current site.

The Tulsa Planning Commission is expected to release policy recommendations as early as next week, and councilors could vote on the moratorium later this month.

FESTUS, Missouri

Opponents of a CRG data center project in Festus announced plans to petition for a change in the city's form of government, targeting the August ballot.

The group previously submitted a petition with over 1,400 signatures in February demanding a public vote on a 10-year data center ban. Now, they're pursuing a switch to a Chapter 78 manager form of government, which would grant citizens initiative and referendum powers. The restructuring would also replace the city administrator with a city manager, reduce the eight-member ward-based council to five at-large seats, and change how city leadership operates.

CRG, the data center development arm of Clayco, plans to build the facility on property north of Hwy. 67 and west of Hwy. CC. Clayco previously withdrew plans for a 440-acre data center in St. Charles in August 2025 after similar public opposition.

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona

Flagstaff's Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed a proposed zoning code amendment on March 11 that would tighten regulations on where and how data centers can be built. Under the current code, a data center can be built as a Heavy Industrial land use or in a Light Industrial zone with a conditional use permit.

The amendment would eliminate data centers from Light Industrial zones entirely and require a conditional use permit even in Heavy Industrial zones. It sets 11 operating requirements, including noise limits of 72 decibels daytime and 65 decibels nighttime at the property line, a ban on diesel generators except Tier IV or newer for emergencies only, and mandatory screening of all mechanical equipment. Conditional use permit applications would need to include baseline noise studies, energy assessments, and water consumption estimates with documentation from utility providers.

City staff noted that an outright ban could increase the risk of state-level preemption. The session did not include a vote. A public hearing before the commission is set for March 25, with Flagstaff City Council taking up the matter at its April 7 and April 21 meetings.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Virginia

Prince William County's planning commission denied a proposal to develop an electric utility substation to power a data center near Casey Lane in Bristow. The vote came during a Wednesday night meeting.

Residents said data centers are taking over their neighborhood, with facilities linked to Google, Amazon, and Microsoft already operating nearby. Concerns focused on health impacts, strain on the power grid, and constant noise from existing operations. The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) said it "appreciates the feedback from the community and the Planning Commission, and will evaluate options for next steps."

The decision comes as Virginia senators have also voted to end a nearly $2 billion tax break for data centers, requiring them to pay at least a 5% sales tax. That proposal still needs to go through the Virginia House.

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus City Council held a lengthy hearing on Wednesday night focused on data center expansion across central Ohio. City leaders said there are currently 18 data centers within Columbus and about 130 across the region, with an additional 70 to 90 projects proposed over the next several years.

Residents packed the meeting, with many opposing large-scale developments in their neighborhoods. Speakers raised concerns about energy demand, water usage, and water quality impacts. Supporters pointed to economic returns: Christopher Magil of Vista Site Selections told council that every data center job in Franklin County generates about 3.2 additional jobs. Council President Shannon Hardin said the city is trying to find a middle ground between those who want to ban data centers outright and those who see the conversation as unfairly targeting the industry.

Yukon, Oklahoma

What’s Not Happening in Yukon • Yukon, OK

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Residents near Yukon are pushing back on a proposed hyperscale data center on nearly 500 acres near 3025 N. Frisco Road as city leaders and the Oklahoma City Planning Commission work through a deal that would rezone the land to Oklahoma City.

Concerns center on noise, power consumption, and water usage, and residents noting data centers can use up to 3 million gallons per day. Ward 3 Councilman Jerimy Meek said the facility would not use water for cooling, and plans specify that only treated wastewater would be used, with noise capped at 60 decibels. Especially: language in the zoning application requires Yukon to provide water to Oklahoma City until OKC can serve the area itself, a clause that caught council members off guard when it surfaced in January.

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