LORDSTOWN — With a 180-day moratorium put in place last month by village council on any new data centers, the new moratorium committee is looking to gain information and hear from experts in addressing the centers.

Councilman Mark McGrail, who serves as chairman of the new moratorium committee, said at Monday’s council meeting the committee has met two times to review different ideas about data centers and other businesses that want to locate in the village.

He said the committee will provide council as a whole with information and then make a recommendation on what to do about the data centers.

McGrail said the committee is moving forward with hearing from experts who know about putting together legislation on industrial and commercial development.

McGrail, along with councilmen Robert Bond and Jamie Moseley, serve on the committee, which met last week with Solicitor Matt Ries to discuss what the next steps are during the 180-day period.

Ries said the courts do not like outright bans, but moratoriums are temporary and are looked on as a more favorable option.

“The courts will support laws that regulate the placement and how a business operates,” Ries said.

Bristolville LLC is fighting the village in court because it wants to locate a data center in Lordstown. In a lawsuit, their attorneys claim the application was filed on Oct. 20 before the ban, and then later, the moratorium, were put in place in the village.

The issue is being addressed by the Ohio Supreme Court.

Ries said whether a ban or moratorium is in place, the village planning commission would have to review the site plans for a data center to see if it complies with local ordinances in order for a company to receive a permit from the village for such a structure.

He said there would also be zoning and planning requirements for such a business to locate in the village.

McGrail said during the 180 days, the committee needs to gather as much information as it can on data centers.

“I know there are people in the community who want an outright ban, but that will not fly. We need to address the risks for a data center,” McGrail said.

Ries recommended the committee meet with individuals who have dealt with or are dealing with data centers to help in gathering information.

He suggested the committee speak with Brian Frantz, director of planning, zoning and economic development in Richfield, who may be able to provide information on legislation or planning / zoning laws the village may want to create on data centers.

Village Engineer Chris Kogelnik has been reviewing plans and other material that Bristolville LLC has submitted to the village.

Ries also suggested speaking with consulting experts on planning and zoning who often speak in court about their knowledge of various planning and zoning, and economic development topics, including dealing with data centers.

McGrail said the committee also will seek outside counsel to advise it as it prepares something by the end of the 180 days to present to the entire council. He said he has been doing research on other communities that have data centers and their effect on the health, safety and welfare of their residents.