By Julie Erickson

Twinsburg City Caucus Meeting

March 24, 2026

Chuck Bonacci, Ward 1

Daisy Walker, Ward 2

Karen Labbe, Ward 3

David Post, Ward 4

Greg Bellan, Ward 5

Bill Furey, At-Large

Shaun Castillo, At-Large

The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.

None

The meeting started with a discussion regarding data centers being located within the city of Twinsburg. Mayor Sam Scaffide said that after review of the planning and zoning code, the administration determined that the city is protected against principal use data centers within the city of Twinsburg. 

That said, the mayor said he requested legislature to be created to put a 12-month moratorium on acceptance of any applications for permits for placement within the city of Twinsburg of principal use data centers. Principal use was defined as primary use for the housing and processing of data. The drafted legislature will be reviewed by council at the next regularly scheduled council meeting and, if passed, a timeline will be built out from there.

Bonnaci then wanted to clarify that for any legislature that may be of a concern to the community, the established standard is for three readings prior to council moving forward with a vote on that proposed legislature. An emergency clause is only used when immediate action is needed, such as approval of appointees to committees or emergency road repairs. 

Sue Clark said she had spoken at the March 10 council meeting, expressing her concerns regarding data centers in Twinsburg, and, at that time, had asked the council if it would be opposed to putting the issue on the November ballot for residents to vote on. 

After the March 10 meeting, it was stated on the Together Twinsburg website that council was not considering putting the issue of data centers on the ballot and that data centers, per current Twinsburg zoning code, are not listed as a permitted use. It was then stated that there were no currently submitted or pending data center permit applications. 

In August 2025, a property owner had made a formal request to the Planning Commission to treat data centers as a similar use and to amend the code to allow it conditionally as a permitted use. When this matter reached council, it was not approved, and the similar use legislature was sent back to the Planning Commission for further clarification. Clark said the applicant dropped the zoning change request, which kept council from having to approve or decline the request for a second time.

Clark reiterated that now is the time to put in the zoning code language that clearly defines what a data center is and that restricts unwanted future data centers in Twinsburg.

Council members told Clark that when she asks a question, depending on the question asked, the administration or council will reply to that question. On data centers, the moratorium would allow further exploration of the issue.

Laurie Facsina then addressed council to express her concerns regarding data centers in Twinsburg. Facsina said that had the residents not found out last fall that data centers were an agenda item that another data center would be in Twinsburg, as the similar use request would have been approved. The reason this data center issue needs to be acted on now is due to the previously fast-tracked 2000 Highland Rd. data center that was built without properly being vetted as far as impact studies, environmental studies or legislature in place. Facsina said this matter needs to be on the November ballot for the citizens to decide on by their vote.

Ordinance 2026-024: Amend section 149 to include fees for medical services and ambulance transport. Third reading.

Resolution 2026-027: Adopting an updated local landmark list. Third reading.

Resolution 2026-2028: An ordinance amending section 1125(02)(3) of the codified ordinance of the city to correct a terminology error. Stands on third reading with fourth and final reading that evening.

Resolution 2026-029: A resolution to allow the mayor to enter a real estate purchase with CIC to acquire property located at 8949 Darrow Rd., tax parcel number 64. Stands on second reading.

Resolution 2026-036: A resolution accepting a bid of Perrin Asphalt for the Glenwood Drive resurfacing project and declaring an emergency second reading.

Resolution 2026-040: A resolution to donate 50 ballistic armor plates no longer needed by the city to the Metro SWAT team and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-041: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to amend an agreement with Fioritto Construction LLC to authorize removal and replacement of additional pipe for the Liberty Road culvert extension. Declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-042: An ordinance amending the current year appropriations for the advance of funds from the general fund as established in ordinance 115-2025, the appropriation ordinance of the city of Twinsburg for the year 2026, and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-043: An ordinance amending the current year appropriations for the fund accounts established in ordinance 115-2025, the appropriation ordinance of the city of Twinsburg for the year 2026, and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-044: A resolution accepting the bid of Terik Roofing for the city hall roof and HVAC replacement project and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-045: A resolution authorizing the mayor to enter a contract with Construction Services Inc. for professional services relative to the Twinsburg government center roof and HVAC project and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-046: A resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Richard L. Bowen and Associates for professional services relative to the amphitheater renovation project. First reading.

Resolution 2026-047: A resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a professional services contract with Life Force Management, Inc. for billing and collection services in connection with EMS services and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-048: A resolution accepting the bid of Northeast Ohio Trenching Service Inc. for the Liberty Road trail improvements project and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-049: An ordinance amending the composition of the special review committee known as the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee to reduce from seven to five members to enable a quorum. Declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-050: A resolution appointing three members to the Architectural Review Board. Declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-051: A resolution appointing two members to the Board of Building and Zoning Appeals and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-052: A resolution appointing a member to the Civil Service Commission and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-053: A resolution appointing three members to the Environmental Commission and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-054: A resolution appointing two members to the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-055: A resolution appointing three members to the Parks and Recreation Commission and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-056: A resolution appointing one member to the Parks and Recreation Commission and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-057: A resolution appointing three members to the Planning Commission and declaring an emergency.

Resolution 2026-058: A resolution appointing one member to the Planning Commission and declaring an emergency.

On above appointments, names were yet to be added, but will be added for approval.

Furey asked why the Glenwood Drive project was not declared an emergency and was advised the money is not yet available from ODOT. It will be ready July 1.

It was asked if the Waterford Pond project had a second phase to the project and was advised work is still in the first phase, including landscaping and bank stabilization.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.