Cleveland City Council, please extend the pause on new data center permits before it runs out on October 20. Residents are only now getting their chance to weigh in, and a decision this big should not be rushed.

Earlier this year, Council froze permits for new and expanding data centers so the city could study how they affect our environment, zoning and local economy. The first of three public hearings just took place in Collinwood, and the last one isn't until October 7. That leaves less than two weeks between the final hearing and the end of the freeze. That's not enough time to turn what residents say into strong, lasting rules.

A Westlake company called Lakeland Equity Group wants to open Cleveland's first hyperscale data center on East 55th Street. The proposed building would use 150 megawatts of power, enough for roughly 100,000 homes according to 19 News (WOIO), and it would need new water, sewer and power hookups.

At the first hearing, neighbors raised worries about power outages, rising utility bills and whether our grid can keep up. A Ward 6 teacher described how blackouts already cost her students learning time. Those questions deserve clear, public answers before any permit moves forward.

Councilman Brian Kazy, who leads the Data Center Working Group, has said council can extend the freeze if it needs more time to protect residents. "Part of the governing is hearing from the people," he said, according to 19 News.

Whether you welcome new development or are wary of it, we should all want the city to get this right the first time. Councilman Kazy, Cleveland City Council and Mayor Justin Bibb: please extend the moratorium until residents have seen the full findings on grid reliability, water use and utility costs.

Sign the petition to extend Cleveland's data center moratorium before the October 20 deadline.