Clinton County Residents for Responsible Development (CCRD) has begun circulating a petition to force a public vote on two Wilmington ordinances that would permit a new Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center in the city’s light‑industrial zone and rezone hundreds of acres of farmland for that purpose.
Emergency ordinances spark legal challenge
On September 3, the Wilmington City Council approved the two measures on an emergency basis, allowing them to take effect immediately under Ohio law. Because emergency ordinances normally bypass the standard referendum process, homeowner Rachel Brooks filed a lawsuit alleging the city misused the emergency provision.
Clinton County Judge Jonathan Hein issued a temporary order that stops Wilmington from enforcing the ordinances until the court reviews the case in October. The order also bars the city from interfering with the upcoming referendum effort.
Petition drive and signature requirements
The CCRD has 30 days to collect more than 1,100 valid signatures from registered Wilmington voters. If the threshold is met, the measures will appear on the November ballot for voters to decide. The group says the deadline to submit the completed petition is September 30.
“For anyone who has felt frustrated or disillusioned with the City’s response over the last 10 months, this is our chance at a do‑over,” said CCRD member Jessica Sharp. “This is the opportunity we did not have the first time with AWS, when the project was still a secret to the public.”
How to get involved
Residents who wish to sign the petition or help circulate it can contact Brenda Shobe at (614) 356‑9616 or Laura Struve at (937) 527‑9117. The effort comes amid a broader legal battle, including a federal lawsuit filed by Wilmington homeowners and a pending Ohio Supreme Court review of a citizen‑led attempt to regulate data centers that was rejected by the Clinton County Board of Elections.
Implications for the community
If the referendum succeeds, Wilmington could halt the rezoning of farmland and the designation of data centers as a permitted use in light‑industrial zones, preserving the character of the area and keeping large‑scale tech development subject to broader public scrutiny. Supporters argue the process protects local families and upholds responsible development, while opponents contend the data center would bring jobs and tax revenue.
The outcome will be decided by Wilmington voters in November, making this a pivotal moment for the city’s future growth and land‑use policy.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
