MASSILLON, Ohio — Massillon City Council is putting new rules in place for future data centers, limiting where those facilities can be built and adding additional review requirements before construction can begin. Council voted 7-1 on Aug. 3 to approve zoning changes that only allow data centers in industrial zoning districts, which are areas designated for heavier industrial uses and generally located farther away from residential neighborhoods. Under the new rules, large data centers, those exceeding 100,000 square feet per parcel, and smaller facilities must be located at least 400 feet away from residential districts. While there are currently no finalized data center projects planned in Massillon, city leaders say they want to be prepared if a developer approaches the city. City leaders say the new regulations are intended to balance economic development opportunities with protections for residents.