On the November 3, 2026 ballot
Proposed Charter Amendment
Article XVII, Section 17.13: Prohibition of Construction of a Data Center
This November, Upper Sandusky voters will decide whether to add a new section to the City Charter that would prohibit the construction of data centers above a set size in the city. The amendment was placed on the ballot by resident petition, and it passes with a majority of “Yes” votes.
At a Glance
The amendment
Would add a prohibition on data centers above 25 megawatts to the City Charter.
The City's moratorium
No new data center applications until January 6, 2027, while the City writes its rules.
When do voters decide?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Early voting begins October 6. For polling locations, early voting and absentee ballots, contact the Wyandot County Board of Elections.
Ballot question
The question will appear on the ballot as follows:
“Shall the proposed charter amendment, Article XVII, Section 17.13: Prohibition of Construction of a Data Center, as reported by the charter commission of the city of Upper Sandusky be adopted?”
YesNoWhat would the amendment do?
The amendment would prohibit the construction of a data center in the city. It defines a data center as one or more buildings on one parcel, or on neighboring parcels used together for the same purpose, used mainly for digital information services (servers, data storage, networking and cooling equipment), with a combined demand of more than 25 megawatts from any energy source. “Construction” includes site preparation.
The amendment takes effect on its own, without further action by City Council.
A Yes vote
would add the prohibition to the City Charter. A data center above 25 megawatts could not be built anywhere in the city. Changing or removing the prohibition would take another citywide vote.
A No vote
would leave the City Charter as it is today. It would not approve a data center. Any data center proposal would still need City approval under its zoning rules, including the new standards the City is writing now.
What is the City doing now?
Separately from the ballot, the City is writing new rules for what it calls High Resource Demand Facilities, a category that includes data centers. City Council passed a six-month moratorium on new data center applications in July 2026 to allow time for this work. It runs to January 6, 2027, and may be extended.
The Planning Commission is drafting the rules, which can cover:
- Where facilities can be located
- Setbacks from homes and property lines
- Noise and sound levels
- Water use and water infrastructure
- Electric and other utility infrastructure
- Lighting
- Construction activity and traffic
- Site design and screening
- Ongoing operating requirements
- Decommissioning and site restoration
The proposed rules will go through public review at the Planning Commission and City Council. Residents can attend meetings, review proposed legislation and speak at public hearings. Agendas and minutes are posted at uppersanduskyoh.com.
Why does that process matter?
A charter prohibition answers:
“Can this type of development occur at all?”
Zoning rules answer:
“If this type of development is allowed, what standards must it meet?”
Zoning rules apply to any developer proposing a facility that meets the City's definition, and they can be updated through public hearings as community needs change.
Regulation does not mean automatic approval. Any future proposal would still have to meet the City's zoning, development and permitting requirements, set in advance by the City rather than by a private agreement with one developer.
About the project
Midway Energy & Technology District
Smartland Energy has proposed a power plant and data center on 146 acres off US 23/30. Nothing is approved, and no application is pending.
Questions?
Questions about the charter amendment, the City's rules or the proposed Midway Energy & Technology District can be sent to:
uppersandusky@smartland.com