PHOTO BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
TAKING A STAND … Swancreek Township Zoning Commission board chair Justin Watson gives an impassioned plea for a moratorium on zoning permits for data centers and solar fields during the most recent meeting of the Swancreek Township Trustees. The trustees eventually approved a six-month moratorium, during which time Watson and others will work to put together new zoning regulations for such operations.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
After a lengthy conversation with much back and forth led by Zoning Commission board chair Justin Watson, Swancreek Township Trustees voted to approve a six-month moratorium on zoning permits for data centers and solar fields.
Watson appeared to make his plea following trustees’ decision at their April meeting not to institute a moratorium.
Trustee Rick Kazmierczak stated his understanding was based on his attendance at a recent event regarding data centers that such efforts are largely unenforceable and make no difference.
Watson argued that he was neither for nor against data centers, but that a moratorium would help push any potential developments down the road long enough for the zoning commission to bring updated zoning language to trustees in order to better manage them if and when they did come about.
In addition to concerns about zoning regulations, Watson brought up a comment made to him by Trustee Marvin Green a year ago.
“You told me, we were sitting in this meeting – ‘Be worried about electricity this year and power outages,” Watson said.
Green acknowledged the statement, agreeing that he is concerned about electrical service in the township.
“I’m not kidding you one bit. As far as the electrical and infrastructure goes, we can’t handle [a data center],” Green said. Through his statements, Watson was able to sway Green and Trustee Renee Walker into support of a moratorium.
Kazmierczak eventually stated he would be willing to approve a six-month measure as opposed to the year Watson was requesting, while Walker said she thought it would be easier to approve the year and lift it early once the needed zoning language was in place.
In addition to the moratorium, Watson shared his concerns about anyone constructing a data center or solar field having a plan to decommission the facility after it was no longer needed.
“If technology changes – which I hate to tell you guys but technology changes – and data centers aren’t needed, how are we reclaiming that land back? Who’s responsible for it then?
“Who’s going to go chase down Google and Facebook to fix that property down in Pemberville?” Watson said.
Green agreed with his sentiment, saying those companies are so big and well funded that “They could destroy it. They could haul toxic waste in there and it wouldn’t matter.”
The trustees eventually voted to institute a six-month moratorium effective May 5 and expiring on Nov. 5.
The zoning commission now has to draft the updated regulations and make a recommendation to the trustees, who then must hold a public hearing before they can vote to approve them.
The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.
BLIGHT COMPLAINT
A group of township residents addressed the trustees to seek help with their ongoing battle against a blight issue at one of their neighbor’s residences.
According to the residents, the individual hauls items in on a regular basis despite their efforts and an ongoing attempt to stop him through the courts.
They outlined several challenges they face, including him watching them while carrying a firearm when hauling the items in to ensure they don’t film him to gather evidence of his activities.
They also stated his failure to maintain his part of the private drive they all live on has resulted in delayed or a complete lack of firefighter response, brought to a head when one of the properties suffered a catastrophic fire that resulted in the death of several animals.
OTHER BUSINESS
Trustees approved a mutual assistance agreement and to make Watson the authorized individual for matters related to the agreement for working with other townships.
Trustees approved the moving of $50,000 within the roads and bridges fund out of machinery/equipment to help cover road work.
Trustees approved the sale of a 2002 Chevrolet Astro van to the water board for $1,000. Trustees approved the signing of a grant liability agreement to go to Delta Community Fire/York Township.
Trustees voted to accept a $15,000 Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation grant for Delta Community Fire. Trustees voted to void a roughly $2,800 check.
Trustees approved the reimbursement of the cost of CDL training for Tyler Thomas in the amount of $3,240, with half to be paid immediately and half to be paid on Jan. 1, 2027.
The next regular meeting of the Swancreek Township Board of Trustees will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 1, at the township offices, located at 5565 County Road D.