Massillon Council To Consider Data Center Regulations And Water Rates Monday, August 2nd

Massillon City Council could take final action Monday on new regulations governing future data centers within the city.

Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 3, in Council Chambers at One James Duncan Plaza. Ordinance No. 60 of 2026, which would amend Massillon’s planning and zoning code to specifically address data centers, is listed for its third reading. No formal public hearing is scheduled, although residents will have opportunities to speak about items on and off the agenda.

The amended proposal would restrict both large and smaller data centers to property zoned I 2 General Industrial. It would require a 400 foot separation from residentially zoned property and require applicants to provide information about expected water use, electricity consumption, wastewater and noise. Large scale data centers would be defined as facilities containing at least 100,000 square feet of structures.

The proposal would also allow the city’s Site Plan Review Committee to examine a facility after construction and compare its actual operation with the information provided during the approval process. A company that materially exceeds its stated noise or utility usage could be given 60 days to correct the problem. Continued noncompliance could result in a recommendation to City Council that operations be suspended until the facility complies.

Council will also consider an Aqua Ohio water service and rate ordinance covering January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2031. The legislation includes schedules for metered water service, private and public fire protection, bulk water sales and customer impact fees. The complete rate percentages were not included on Monday’s public agenda.