JEFFERSONVILLE, Ohio — The Jefferson Township Board of Zoning met on Tuesday to consider an amendment to its zoning code under the industrial classification. The amendment follows the resolution recently signed by the Fayette County Commissioners to include “Data Center” as a permitted use on land zoned for industrial use.
The resolution and amendment for the township included a property line set-back of 1,000 feet from the property line of any residential property, and a maximum noise decibel level of sound not to exceed 55dBA. It also included a requirement for the planting of trees or shrubs to provide a natural screen around the facility as a buffer, lighting to be directed toward the facility – not to any adjacent roads or properties, general design colors of neutral for approval of a permit, and the facility must be operational within five years of the issuance of any building permit.
The township felt that these parameters were what the township needed for “data centers” and approved the passage of the amendment.
On Wednesday, the Fayette County Zoning Commission met to consider the same amendment to be included in the county zoning for industrial classifications.
After some discussion and questions by the board to Greg McCune, county zoning official, Fayette County Commissioner Tony Anderson, and others in attendance, the board passed the amendment to be added to the county zoning code for data centers to be a permitted use under the industrial zoning classification.
Jefferson Township is in Fayette County, but it has its own zoning board, so it meets separately from the county board. This amendment will allow companies or corporations seeking land to build data centers in Fayette County to have the correct zoning and avoid multiple steps between planning boards and zoning boards within the county.
It was mentioned that data centers are seeking other areas to locate their facilities since there are already so many in the Columbus, Marysville, and New Albany areas.
