Current Status
Residents gathered enough signatures on the referendum petition to suspend Ordinance 266 and put it on a public ballot. Council then chose, on their own, to rescind the ordinance — so Ordinance 266 is gone, but the referendum vote itself never happened.
Plain-language result: the petition drive achieved its purpose. The Noise Petition is now in motion — attorney-approved language, signatures being collected from City of Mason voters to put a stronger noise and vibration ordinance on the November 2026 ballot.
Key Dates
Ordinance 266 Adopted
City Council adopted the M-3 data center ordinance.
Petition Threshold Met
Residents completed the referendum petition drive with the required City of Mason voter signatures.
Ordinance 266 Repealed by City Council
Council rescinded the ordinance themselves rather than letting the referendum vote take place. The public never voted on it.
Next Phase Begins
Residents file the Noise Petition with attorney-approved language and begin collecting signatures from City of Mason voters for the November 2026 ballot.
Why the Referendum Still Matters
The repeal gave Mason a chance to fix the weaknesses residents identified in Ordinance 266. It did not eliminate future data center pressure, utility questions, road impacts, or the need for enforceable standards.
- Require special use review for data centers.
- Require independent water, wastewater, electrical, traffic, and environmental studies.
- Use objective property-line noise and vibration standards.
- Limit generator testing and require emergency response planning.
- Record binding development agreements for future owners and operators.
What Happens Now?
The community has filed the Noise Petition — attorney-approved language for a stronger noise and vibration ordinance. Signatures are being collected now from City of Mason voters to put it on the November 2026 ballot. The petition reflects the protections residents want in place before any data center proposal advances.
Keep the Work Funded
Donations still matter. Funds support legal review, technical research, outreach, documents, signs, and public education.