A permit applicatio seeking to build a sprawling $1.6 billion data center in Slavic Village has been rejected by the City of Cleveland, officials announced onThursday afternoon.
No reason has been provided as of yet by City Hall but the decision comes amid mounting and widespread opposition to data center construction across the state. The permit, according to reports, stalled at the zoning adminstration review process.
Mayor Justin Bibb, in a recent video recorded after plans from developer Sam Khouri for the 35 acres were made public, said the city would move cautiously on any such project.
“As our city grows and technology changes, we’re going to keep seeing new kinds of development come our way and that comes with real questions about our neighborhoods, our environment, our quality of life,” he said. “We are doing the work right now to make sure we have strong policies and real safeguards in place to protect our environment and address rising utility costs.”
Councilman Charles Slife last month introduced legislation proposing a one-year moratorium on data centers. Council is still considering the legislation.
Opposition to the planned data center between East 49th and East 55th was swift from the public and city council with a grassroots community townhall scheduled for next week.
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