Solon Planning Commission Recommends Extending Data Center Moratorium

SOLON TOWNSHIP — The Solon Township Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday, Aug. 26, to recommend extending the township’s moratorium on data centers by another six months.

The recommendation now moves to the Solon Township Board, which will decide whether to formally approve the extension.

The vote comes as township officials continue reviewing possible zoning regulations related to data centers, an issue that has drawn significant public attention and concern in recent months.

Residents have raised questions about how a large-scale data center could affect Solon Township’s rural character, groundwater use, electrical demand, wastewater discharge, environmental protections and long-term land use. Public concern intensified earlier this summer after it was reported that the township had entered into a nondisclosure agreement with Venerly, LLC, understood to be a shell company used by Meta in dealings related to potential data center development.

At a June 24 public hearing at Frost Creek Church, nearly 400 residents attended to share concerns and urge township officials to strengthen zoning language before any data center application could move forward.

In July, the Solon Township Board voted to oppose the future use of nondisclosure agreements by township elected officials. That resolution was introduced by Trustee Willoughby and seconded by Hoskins. In a roll call vote, Hoskins, Willoughby, Ellick and Stout voted in favor, while Anielski cast the lone dissenting vote.

The board also voted in July to hire Michael Homier of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith PC as special counsel to provide additional legal guidance as the township works through zoning and development questions tied to data centers.

No formal data center application has been submitted, but the ordinance under consideration is expected to establish the rules for if and how such a project could be developed in Solon Township.

The Planning Commission’s unanimous recommendation would give township officials more time to study the issue, review proposed ordinance language and respond to concerns raised by residents.

If approved by the Township Board, the extension would continue the pause on data center proposals until February 7, 2027 while the township considers long-term regulations.