Licking County comprehensive plan update for growth management; data center ban ballot push; ODOT traffic projects
Key Questions
What is the status of Licking County's comprehensive plan update?
Licking County is updating its first comprehensive plan in about 25 years to manage growth from Intel and data centers, covering land, water, sewer, housing, infrastructure, and HB646.
What is the push to ban data centers in Ohio?
A group seeks to ban data centers over 25MW via a constitutional amendment; Ohio AG Yost certified the petition summary, needing 400k signatures by July 1, 2026, across 44 counties.
What is Pataskala doing about data centers?
Pataskala residents remain skeptical of a proposed data center and are calling for a pause; it's tied to OH 113 and potential $40B impacts including power hikes.
What ODOT traffic projects are underway in Licking County?
ODOT projects include SR16 through Granville ($47.2M through 2028), SR13, Pike Etna, Granville Rd, SR37; a petition to vacate part of new River Rd has a hearing on April 28 due to Granville Twp crashes.
What is happening with Thornwood and Faye drives in Newark?
Newark will close Thornwood and Faye drives starting April 6 to build a roundabout expected to handle increased traffic.
Why the concern over data centers in Ohio?
Concerns include massive scale impacting neighborhoods, power demands, and growth; a student project highlights emergence in areas like South Side.
How long will SR16 construction in Granville last?
Construction on Rt. 16 through Granville is a three-year, $47.2 million project starting soon, so motorists should prepare for delays.
Where can I track traffic and road conditions?
Monitor LocalConditions.com for Licking County road conditions, driving flow, and ODOT updates on projects and petitions.
First ~25yr update Intel/data-centers (land/water/sewer/housing/infra/HB646); ban >25MW Yost certified (400k sigs Jul1 2026/44 counties); Pataskala pause/OH 113/$40B/power hikes; ODOT SR16 Granville $47.2M thru '28/SR13/Pike Etna/Granville Rd/SR37/new River Rd vacate petition (hearing Apr28/Granville Twp crashes); Thornwood roundabout. Track meetings/power/traffic LocalConditions.