MASON — Amid clear interest from a hyperscale data center developer, city officials have suspended a controversial ordinance that laid down stronger rules for such facilities because enough citizens signed petitions to suspend it.
Councilmembers formally received the 755 valid signatures, more than the 600 required to put the ordinance up for a referendum vote, at their March 2 session. That action suspended the ordinance approved by council 5-2 in February to create a new Technology Innovation (M-3) zoning district in preparation of any data center proposals.
City officials had argued the new zoning rules were a proactive tactic to address any future data center proposals and to provide an environment for large-scale technology uses…