On the agenda: Plain City Packet — Data Center (Oct 7)

COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA
October 7, 2026 at 6:30 P.M.
Council Chambers
Council Members: President T. Harriman, T. Arnold, J. Eudaily, A. Lewis, J. Sintz, M. Terry
Mayor: Jody Carney Village Administrator: Haley Lupton
Police Chief: Dale McKee Director of Finance: Renee Sonnett Director of Law: Paul-Michael La Fayette
Call to Order: Pledge of Allegiance
Approvals: Agenda:
Minutes:

Council Work Session Meeting – October 7, 2026
Council Regular Meeting – September 28, 2026

Discussion Items:
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161 Planning Group Update (Jamie Greene with Planning NEXT)

Unfinished Business: None.
New Business: None.
Executive Session: Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(1): To consider the employment or
compensation of a public employee.
Adjourn

800 Village Boulevard | P.O. Box 167 | Plain City, OH 43064 | 614-873-3527 | plaincityohio.gov

COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 28, 2026 at 6:30 P.M.
Council Chambers
Council Members: President T. Harriman, T. Arnold, J. Eudaily, A. Lewis, J. Sintz, M. Terry
Mayor: Jody Carney Village Administrator: Haley Lupton
Police Chief: Dale McKee Director of Finance: Renee Sonnett Director of Law: Paul-Michael La Fayette
Call to Order: Mayor Carney called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Jody Carney, Toni Arnold, Jim Eudaily, Tyler Harriman, Aaron Lewis, and Jamey Sintz.
Absent: Michael Terry.
Approvals:
Agenda: Council Regular Meeting – September 28, 2026
Mr. Harriman motioned to approve the September 28, 2026 agenda, seconded by Mr. Sintz. All in favor. The
September 28, 2026 agenda is approved.
Minutes: Council Regular Meeting – September 14, 2026
Ms. Arnold motioned to approve the September 14, 2026 minutes, seconded by Mr. Lewis. All in favor. The
September 14, 2026 minutes are approved.
Proclamation: None.
Visitors: None.
Reports:
- Mayor: Mayor Carney stated that she attended the recent Cops and Cars car show and participated
in the judging process through the Mayor’s Choice Award. The event was well attended and Mayor
Carney thanked Chief McKee and all members of the Police Department for their hard work in

800 Village Boulevard | P.O. Box 167 | Plain City, OH 43064 | 614-873-3527 | plaincityohio.gov

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planning and hosting the event. Mayor Carney provided information regarding the annual Battle of
the Cans event which begins October 5, 2026. Individuals are encouraged to donate nonperishable
canned food items to the event. Donations will be collected at the Municipal Building. Lastly, Mayor
Carney stated that she provided information to a resident who inquired about the authorizing
jurisdiction of the railroad tracks in Kileville, east of the Village, as the resident had concerns about
trains being stopped on the railroad tracks for an extended amount of time and therefore blocking
vehicular traffic.
Village Administrator: Ms. Lupton stated that the last day of operation for the Splash Pad at Public
Square is October 4, 2026, after which the Public Works Department will winterize the splash pad.
Ms. Lupton provided a status update for the annual repaving program and website refresh project,
both of which are progressing well and according to schedule.
Finance Director: Nothing to report.
Police Chief: Chief McKee thanked Mayor Carney for the kind words regarding the Cops and Cars
car show. The event was very well attended and more than 100 cars registered for the show. Chief
McKee stated that he received numerous compliments from visitors about the Uptown area and
positive atmosphere of the Village. He has received several requests for the event to occur again
next year. Lastly, Chief McKee stated that both police officer candidates are progressing through
the background check process currently.
Council President: Mr. Harriman stated that the next work session meeting is October 7, 2026 and
the agenda includes an update from a representative of the 161 Planning Group.
Law Director: Nothing to report.
Economic Development Committee: Mr. Eudaily stated that the Committee met on September 15,
2026 and reviewed several of the developments occurring throughout the Village, as well as the
comprehensive plan as approved by Council. The next Committee meeting is November 17 , 2026.
Board of Zoning Appeals: Ms. Arnold stated that the Board reviewed one variance application for a
fence at their most recent meeting. Upon review and discussion, the Board denied the variance
request. The October meeting has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items.
Planning & Zoning Commission: Mayor Carney stated that the Commission did not have a meeting
in September due to a lack of agenda items. The next Commission meeting will be October 21,
2026.
Parks & Recreation Committee: Nothing to report.
Personnel & Finance, CIP Committee: Mr. Lewis stated that the Committee held its most recent
meeting prior to tonight’s Council meeting. The Committee reviewed the salary survey and 2027
budget. The Committee stated their support for a joint Council and Committee meeting to occur
during the October 26, 2026 Council meeting, during which Council and the Committee will review
the salary survey and 2027 budget.
Fire Board: Mr. Sintz stated that the Fire District has received positive news regarding a financial
assistance application to a FEMA grant program. Additionally, the Fire District completed the
hiring process for a new fiscal officer. The next Board meeting is October 1, 2026.
Plain City Area Development Corporation: Mr. Eudaily stated that the next Corporation meeting is
November 18, 2026.
PCBA/Union County Chamber of Commerce/Madison County Chamber of Commerce: Mr. Justin
Dreier, the Clerk of Council, stated that he was unable to attend the most recent PCBA and Union
County Chamber of Commerce meeting. The next PCBA meeting is October 28, 2026. Mr. Dreier
stated that the Union County Chamber of Commerce Board will host its annual joint business
association meeting on October 28, 2026, in conjunction with the PCBA meeting. Mayor Carney
stated that the next Madison County Chamber of Commerce meeting is October 6, 2026.
Additionally, the Madison County Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual Fall Fest event in
the near future.

800 Village Boulevard | P.O. Box 167 | Plain City, OH 43064 | 614-873-3527 | plaincityohio.gov

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Parks Master Plan Committee: Ms. Lupton stated that staff has met with the consultant to review
Council’s comments from the September 14, 2026 meeting. The next Committee meeting will be
scheduled in the near future.

Discussion Items:
Data Center Update:
Mr. Jason Stanford, the Development Director, thanked Council for their time this evening. He referenced
the staff memorandum as included in the meeting document packet. He noted that the overall data center
industry is evolving as the focus shifts to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in various industries, rather
than a data center’s sole focus being AI training. Staff will continue to monitor that evolution as much of
the previously proposed regulations focused on large scale data center developments. Additionally, staff
is monitoring national trends for electric usage and how the Village compares to other municipalities. Mr.
Stanford stated that recent surveys indicate that by 2030, approximately 10% of the nation’s electric
usage will be from data centers. Mr. Stanford acknowledged the recent trends of general concern from
residents throughout the nation regarding data center developments. Overall, staff is anticipating a
decrease in the growth rate of data centers. Mr. Stanford provided information regarding the federal and
state perspectives on data centers and AI integration, both of which are supportive of continued AI and
data center development. He cited a recent nationwide survey that indicates that approximately 60% of
Americans are not supportive of continued data center development and construction. Throughout the
nation, more than 600 jurisdictions have enacted a moratorium on data center development. Within the
central Ohio region, the City of Marysville continues to support data centers, with several large projects
beginning or in-progress. The City of Dublin has removed data centers as a permitted and conditional use
from its western areas as their land use focus for said area is innovation and light industrial uses. Jerome
Township’s moratorium on data center development has expired and the township continues to receive
significant interest from data center developers. He stated that there are no recent updates regarding
data centers in Darby Township or Madison County. Mr. Stanford said that, per Council’s recent approval of
the 2026 comprehensive plan, staff is evaluating the proposed data center regulations to ensure
alignment between the comprehensive plan and proposed regulations. During recent informational and
training webinars staff has attended, several planning organizations are recommending data center
setbacks that range from 450 feet to 550 feet. Mr. Stanford stated that staff will also begin reviewing the
Economic Development Incentive Policy (EDIP) to determine if any revisions are necessary. He
acknowledged that it is not advantageous to the municipality to over-incentive an industry.
Ms. Arnold stated her appreciation for the information, as well as staff’s desire to ensure alignment
between the 2026 comprehensive plan and proposed regulations. She inquired if there is an update
regarding Ohio communities who are in litigation with data center developers regarding their
moratoriums. Ms. Ashley Hetzel, the Law Director, stated that there is no current update and noted that
the two most significant litigation cases in Ohio are from data center developers that were already
approved for a data center project but then were subject to moratoriums that were implemented after the
initial project approval. Ms. Arnold thanked Ms. Hetzel for the information.
Upon an inquiry from Mr. Eudaily, it was confirmed by Mr. Stanford that Council will need to discuss and
determine the desirability of data centers in order to establish what incentives, if any, should be
implemented. Mr. Eudaily stated that he prefers that no data centers are constructed within the Village.
Additional discussion took place regarding the desirability of data centers within the Village. Mr. Stanford
noted that the EDIP may be used as a tool to support Council’s overall goals and objectives, whether that is

800 Village Boulevard | P.O. Box 167 | Plain City, OH 43064 | 614-873-3527 | plaincityohio.gov

to incentivize or not incentivize data center development. Mr. Harriman acknowledged the rapidly
changing nature of the data center industry and noted that more changes will most likely occur throughout
the next several months. He thanked staff for continuing to monitor such changes accordingly. At the
inquiry of Ms. Arnold, Mr. Stanford stated that he will continue to provide an update on this topic
approximately every other month, with the next update to occur before the end of 2026. Council thanked
Mr. Stanford for the information.
Facility Rental and Lease Policy for Nonprofit Organizations:
Ms. Lupton provided a brief overview of the proposed policy, which is reflective of Council’s discussion and
comments during the most recent meeting. The policy addresses the rental and lease of Village facilities
by nonprofit organizations. Ms. Lupton stated that the policy supports Council’s goals and the proposed
rates align with the rates included in the Rooted Village lease request. Ms. Arnold stated her appreciation
for the inclusion of mission-driven organizations as an evaluative criteria. Mr. Harriman thanked staff for
composing the policy quickly.
Public Hearing: None.
Motion: To Appoint Mark Keene to Serve on the Plain City Area Development Corporation Board of
Directors with a Term to Expire December 31, 2027
Mr. Lewis motioned to appoint Mark Keene to serve on the Plain City Area Development Corporation Board
of Directors with a term to expire December 31, 2027, seconded by Mr. Harriman. All in favor. Mr. Keene is
appointed to serve on the Plain City Area Development Corporation Board of Directors with a term to
expire December 31, 2027.
Motion: To Appoint Shelby Powell to Serve on the Plain City Area Development Corporation Board of
Directors with a Term to Expire December 31, 2028
Ms. Arnold motioned to appoint Shelby Powell to serve on the Plain City Area Development Corporation
Board of Directors with a term to expire December 31, 2028, seconded by Mr. Lewis. All in favor. Ms. Powell
is appointed to serve on the Plain City Area Development Corporation Board of Directors with a term to
expire December 31, 2028.
Unfinished Business:
2nd Reading Ordinance 41-2026: Amending the Codified Ordinances, Chapters 301, 371, and 373, of the
Traffic Code
Administration: No comments.
Council: No comments.
Mr. Sintz motioned to approve Ordinance 41-2026, seconded by Mr. Lewis. All in favor. Ordinance 41-2026
is approved.

800 Village Boulevard | P.O. Box 167 | Plain City, OH 43064 | 614-873-3527 | plaincityohio.gov

2nd Reading Resolution 41-2026: Accepting Public Improvements Constructed for The Run at Hofbauer
Preserve, Section 2
Administration: No comments.
Council: No comments.
Ms. Arnold motioned to approve Resolution 41-2026, seconded by Mr. Harriman. All in favor. Resolution 412026 is approved.
2nd Reading Resolution 42-2026: Approving a Lease Agreement Between the Village of Plain City and
Rooted Village for the Use of The Loft at Public Square
Administration: Ms. Lupton stated that the lease agreement has received one minor update from the first
reading in the form of allowing the Rooted Village organization to use the facility for three (3) hours per
week, rather than the originally proposed one (1) hour per week. Council thanked Ms. Lupton for the
information.
Council: No comments.
Mr. Lewis motioned to approve Resolution 42-2026, seconded by Mr. Sintz. All in favor. Resolution 42-2026
is approved.
New Business:
1st Reading Resolution 43-2026: Authorizing and Implementing the Facility Rental and Lease Policy for
Nonprofit Organizations
Administration: No comments.
Council: No comments.
Adjourn:
Mr. Sintz motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Arnold. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 7:00
P.M.

800 Village Boulevard | P.O. Box 167 | Plain City, OH 43064 | 614-873-3527 | plaincityohio.gov