Pataskala declines data center plan

Pataskala’s City Council unanimously rejected a proposal from Aligned Data Centers to build a 200-megawatt data center on 89 acres in the industrial park after residents voiced concerns over environmental impact and community character. Despite company plans to incorporate sustainable and noise-reducing features, council members cited incomplete application details and community opposition as reasons for denial. The decision follows efforts to place a ballot measure to ban future large-scale data centers in the city.