$1.5 Million Land Sale Spurs Grove City Data Center Ballot Measure

A 32-acre plot of land sold for $1.5 million in May, a price that helped ignite a local campaign to stop a massive data center project in Grove City. The transaction, which equates to $46,875 per acre, involved a developer named Headwaters. The company submitted a preliminary plan to the city for a campus spanning 310 acres southwest of the current city limits.

Headwaters proposed the site for at least six server warehouses. The property sits directly across the street from the Spillman family farm, established in 1861. Patricia Spillman, a member of the farm’s family, declined an offer to sell her 100 acres. She joined neighbors Jen Belt and Karen Church to form Protect Grove City. The group sought a permanent solution to prevent similar developments in the future.

City Council initially responded by passing a one-year moratorium on data center development in June. Adjacent Jackson Township passed a similar temporary ban, while Pleasant Township adopted a permanent one. Protect Grove City leaders argued that a pause was insufficient. They wanted a rule that would prevent future developers from returning to the area without facing a new public vote.

The group worked with attorney Robert Dintaman to draft the Community Consent Amendment. The text defines Heavy Industrial Development as projects occupying at least 50 acres, drawing more than 20 megawatts of peak power, or consuming over 500,000 gallons of water daily. The amendment avoids naming data centers specifically to reduce the risk of legal challenges. Urbana, Ohio, is currently facing a lawsuit from a developer over a direct ban, a precedent Protect Grove City wished to avoid.

City Council members reviewed the draft over several weeks. They ultimately rejected emergency legislation that would have allowed changes to be made in a single reading. As a result, the original text of the Community Consent Amendment became Issue 28 for the upcoming election.

Opponents formed Save Grove City to challenge the measure. Cassie Ferguson, a volunteer for the group, argued the amendment is too broad. She stated that the text does not distinguish between different types of industries or non-profit organizations. Ferguson expressed concern that the rule could delay the approval of a new high school, which currently requires a bond vote under Issue 6.

Grove City Mayor Ike Stage supports the opposition. He stated that the city’s law director believes the amendment leaves no room for discretionary decisions once it is part of the city charter. Stage argued that the specific language written into the document governs all future development cases without exception.

Campaign finance filings for Franklin County reveal a disparity in funding between the two groups. Protect Grove City raised just over $3,500 from 34 donors. Save Grove City has raised $145,000 from eight donors. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce provided $50,000 to the anti-Issue 28 group. Nearly $100,000 came from political action committees associated with construction contractors. The Ohio Chamber stated it helped establish the committee to ensure transparency and public input during major development proposals.