Citizens of Wilmington, Ohio have launched a petition drive to block a proposed Amazon data center that would occupy roughly 1.9 million square feet at 1488 U.S. Route 68. The effort seeks to place a referendum before voters this November, asking them to reject the two ordinances the city council approved earlier this month that rezoned the Light Industrial District for data‑center use.
Background on the zoning push
In 2025, Wilmington City Council unanimously passed ordinances that would have allowed the $4 billion Amazon facility to move forward. Those votes were made during closed executive sessions in which elected officials signed nondisclosure agreements with Amazon, limiting public insight into the project’s details. A judge later ruled that the council had violated Ohio’s Open Meetings Act, striking down the 2025 ordinances as legally invalid.
Undeterred, the council reconvened in September 2026 and passed two new measures. On Sept. 3, council members rezoned data centers as a permitted use within the city’s Light Industrial District, and a second ordinance specifically authorized Amazon’s proposed development in that zone.
Petitioners’ legal challenge
Opponents argue that the rezoning does not meet Ohio’s definition of an “emergency” and therefore should be subject to voter review. Under state law, ordinances adopted under emergency provisions are typically insulated from referendum challenges. Petitioners have filed a lawsuit seeking a court order that would allow the question to appear on the ballot, asserting that residents deserve a voice before any construction begins.
The petition requires 1,122 valid signatures from Wilmington voters and must be submitted to election officials by Sept. 30. Organizers have scheduled multiple in‑person signature‑gathering events at the Clinton County Courthouse and various neighborhood locations, including 1327 Blue Spruce Lane and 1095 Peggy Lane.
What’s at stake?
Supporters of the data center cite the projected economic boost, job creation, and increased tax revenue that a $4 billion investment could bring to a small community. Critics, however, raise concerns about the lack of transparency, potential strain on local infrastructure, and the precedent of bypassing open‑meeting requirements.
Should the referendum be approved, the council’s ordinances would be nullified, effectively halting Amazon’s plans until a new, fully transparent process is undertaken. If voters reject the measure, the city would move forward with the rezoning, paving the way for construction to begin.
Next steps
A judge will decide whether the referendum can proceed once the petition is filed. Regardless of the ruling, petitioners say they will continue gathering signatures and informing residents about the implications of the data‑center project.
For updates on signature‑gathering times and additional information, residents can follow the Clinton County Residents for Responsible Development’s Facebook page.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
