A proposed $4 billion Amazon data center in Wilmington, Ohio has been put on hold after a federal judge ruled that the city violated public notice requirements for zoning amendments. The case was brought by a group of Wilmington homeowners, including Jessica Sharp, who argued that the city changed zoning ordinances without giving the public a proper chance to weigh in.

Background

The data center, which would cover nearly 500 acres of land, was proposed by Amazon and would be one of the largest in the state. However, the project has been met with opposition from local residents who are concerned about the impact it would have on their community.

The federal judge ruled that the city’s planning commission and city council violated Ohio’s Open Meetings Act when they entered into executive session to discuss the project. The judge also found that the city failed to provide adequate notice to the public about the zoning amendments.

As a result of the ruling, the city has agreed to a tentative deal that will bar it from moving forward with approval of Amazon’s data center site plan under the existing ordinances. The city’s planning commission may hold informational meetings about the proposal, but these meetings will be subject to certain conditions, including allowing members of the public to speak and present expert testimony.

The case highlights the tension between economic development and the rights of residents. Sharp, who is also working to get a data center regulation initiative on the ballot, argues that the state needs clearer ground rules for how to balance these competing interests.

Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.