LORDSTOWN — After hearing from residents and nonresidents during a lengthy, and at times heated, meeting, village council on Monday gave the initial reading to prohibit the establishment and operation of data centers within the village.

Councilwoman Jessica Blank, chairwoman of the planning and zoning committee, told the more than 50 people in attendance that it was recommended by the committee to give three readings on the ordinance to allow for public input.

Several residents spoke in support of a ban and recommended that a committee of council members and other local officials be formed to visit other data centers to see what effect they have on communities.

Resident Phillip Fisher said there are already 167 data centers in Ohio.

“A committee needs to be put together to do more research on data centers and establish a set of rules and if the rules are not met, there should be a hefty fine. There needs to be time to study this. We have a fine fire department, but would they be able to handle and put out a big electrical fire with the equipment we have?” Fisher asked.

He said if the state wants to put a data center in, it will be hard to stop it.

Resident Mark McGrail said he also is in favor of a ban, which he said is not “anti-data centers.”

“The ban is an opportunity for the village to get its act together and do more research on data centers. Residents should be involved in the process,” McGrail said.

Dan Crouse of Warren, a Realtor, said he has worked to get $3 billion in development in Lordstown in the past 15 years and said just like the village previously placed a moratorium on trucking terminals 18 months ago, now the village is looking at a ban on data centers.

“You are telling AI centers we don’t like them. What you are telling them is you are not interested in the money that will help the police department, the fire department, the street department. The money comes from these centers and entities,” he said.

Resident and former village mayor Arno Hill said he has received many calls from residents concerned about a data center.

“I agree that a study should be done to answer people’s concerns. I am glad this ordinance is going through three readings,” he said.

Mike McGiffin of Poland with the Lake to River Economic Development Foundation said he appreciates council giving three readings on the matter.

“I feel a ban will not attract any new business to not only Lordstown but the four counties that we represent. I encourage you to look at every possible opportunity on a case-by-case basis,” McGiffin said.

He said many companies and businesses want to locate in this area.

Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber, said in a statement about council’s vote that “it was wise of Lordstown officials to take time to proactively examine the matter of data centers.

“Rather than rush into an emergency vote, taking a deliberate approach ensures decisions are made thoughtfully and helps avoid unintended consequences for the very people they are working to protect — their residents. We encourage them to continue gathering information from resources such as the Lake to River Economic Development Foundation. We would be happy to assist in convening experts and facilitating discussions.”

Councilman Robert Bond said he supports the residents.

“We are a village. The residents are our village, not just a bunch of businesses,” he said.

Planning / Zoning Director Kellie Bordner read letters from residents who support the ban being put into place to prevent data centers and expressing concerns about the effect such centers have on the environment and the noise that comes from them.

Bordner said Foxconn is in compliance, and the company’s data center showcase has been approved and allowed. The ordinance discussed Monday would only apply to future data centers.

The next council meeting is set Oct. 20. The ordinance is scheduled to receive a second reading then.

HUBBARD PETITIONS

Although nothing has been set in stone for a data center potentially entering Hubbard, residents are looking to nip talks in the bud through some proactivity.

City residents Melissa Wade and Margie Johnson were at Tylee Park on Monday, collecting signatures for a petition opposing a proposed data center at Deer Creek Golf Course, with talks about the potential development.

Mayor Ben Kyle announced the economic development project in February, which is an economic development project alongside JobsOhio, a partner of Lake to River. Kyle said that the project was called Project Milo, and it’s an unnamed company exploring a project that promises “significant economic impact and benefit” for the city itself.

“We’re just basically trying to have our voices heard. Everybody I talk to is not real crazy about the idea of having a data center in Hubbard,” Wade said. “We’re just trying to start a conversation (so) people who don’t want it have their voices heard.”

Wade said they were also encouraging residents to come to the meetings and voice those concerns before a proposal for the property takes form.

Wade said she’s been researching data centers for quite some time, noting places like New Albany, where a “large portion” of the town had been bought up and taken over.

“There’s over 100 in Columbus; I don’t want to let that happen to my community. I don’t think it fits the character of Hubbard,” Wade said. “I want to see beautiful, rural countryside. Put it to better use.”

Johnson admitted that she didn’t know anything about the centers when she first heard about them.

“I started seeing all the negativity about it — how they contaminate wells, they can be loud,” Johnson said.

Kyle said he spoke to two residents who had called his office and explained the entire process to them, stating that if a zoning change were needed, there would be plenty of public meetings for it.

“There is still not anything for a zone change — this economic development project is still in the site selection phase and utility research phase,” Kyle said. “Which they’re probably doing in five other communities all across Ohio.”