Wood County Adopts New Rules for Public Comment on Data Centers

Residents voice concerns about impact of data centers, but new rules limit discussion

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Wood County Planning Commission adopted new rules for public comment at its latest meeting, limiting speakers to 3 minutes each and prohibiting "outbursts or other disrespectful action." The rules were put in place after a previous meeting on data centers turned into an "angry shouting match." While residents like Chris Coultrip, Mark Patton, and Cindi Lane expressed concerns about the impact of data centers on the community, the new rules were seen by some as an attempt to "silence" citizens.

Why it matters

The debate over data centers in Wood County highlights the tensions between residents who are worried about the potential downsides, such as increased utility costs, water usage, and disruption to rural character, and local officials who are trying to balance economic development with community concerns. The new public comment rules aim to keep discussions more controlled, but some see it as limiting the ability of citizens to fully voice their perspectives.

The details

At the latest Wood County Planning Commission meeting, the commission adopted new rules for public comment, requiring speakers to give their name and address, limiting them to 3 minutes each, and warning against "outbursts or other disrespectful action." This came after a previous meeting on data centers that "turned into an angry shouting match." Several residents spoke up, including Chris Coultrip who said data centers "don't belong in residential areas," and Mark Patton who questioned whether a recent data center moratorium in Fulton County, Indiana was misrepresented by Wood County officials. Other speakers like Joe DeMare and Cindi Lane raised concerns about the impact of data centers on resources and the rural character of the county. However, some felt the new rules were an attempt to "silence" citizens, with Tracy Wyatt saying "You're never going to win people over by silencing them."

  • The Wood County Planning Commission meeting took place on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
  • The previous county planning commission meeting on data centers was held in January 2026.

The players

Chris Coultrip

A resident of Perrysburg Township who spoke at the meeting, saying data centers "don't belong in residential areas" and that citizens need more oversight of the sites.

Mark Patton

A resident who lives near the Meta data center and questioned whether a recent data center moratorium in Fulton County, Indiana was misrepresented by Wood County officials.

Joe DeMare

A resident of Bowling Green who suggested the county could slow the spread of data centers by committing to no tax breaks and ending "secret agreements" or non-disclosure agreements.

Cindi Lane

A resident of Perrysburg Township who spoke about the "catastrophe" created by data centers, including potential loss of peace, dark night skies, clean water and air, and spikes in utility bills.

John Musteric

The president of the Wood County Planning Commission who introduced the new public comment rules and warned against "outbursts or other disrespectful action."

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What they’re saying

“We have to learn to live with these data centers. But citizens also need to push for oversight of the massive sites like the Meta center under construction in Middleton Township.”

— Chris Coultrip, Perrysburg Township resident (bgindependentmedia.org)

“Was that a lie, or just a lack of knowledge on the part of Wood County officials?”

— Mark Patton, Resident near Meta data center (bgindependentmedia.org)

“You're never going to win people over by silencing them.”

— Tracy Wyatt (bgindependentmedia.org)

What’s next

The Wood County Planning Commission suggested that citizens email comments and questions, and they may receive a response. The commission also indicated they may clarify or correct information at the end of the meeting.

The takeaway

The new public comment rules adopted by the Wood County Planning Commission highlight the ongoing tensions between local officials and residents over the growth of data centers in the area. While the rules aim to keep discussions more controlled, some citizens feel it is an attempt to limit their ability to fully voice concerns about the potential impacts on the community.