CHAMPION — The Champion Township Trustees and the zoning board will be discussing what to include in zoning ordinances to have restrictions on data centers in the township.

Trustee Doug Emerine said there have been no permit applications for data centers and residents’ concerns that one would locate at the former Copperweld Steel property are unfounded because that property has no activity on it and it is not for sale.

Resident Debbie Christ said she is concerned over the potential for noise, toxic chemicals and emissions and also electricity and water use that a data center would need.

“The township needs to be proactive and not re-active about data centers,” Christ said.

“I am concerned about the water and electricity that goes through those centers.”

Emerine said many communities have moratoriums in place as they work on local guidelines and restrictions on data centers.

He said trustees can work with the zoning board on adding information to zoning regulations about data centers.

Resident Silas Dozier, who serves on the zoning board, said trustees have said no one has applied for a data center in the township.

“We need to move forward and put guidelines in place. I think it is important that we be pro-active about this,” Dozier said.

He said he has heard more negative comments about data centers than positive comments.

Trustee Tom Jeffers said he spoke with Nick Coggins at the Trumbull County Planning Commission about the Copperweld site, which is zoned industrial, which could make it a potential site for a data center.

“I was told it is prime area for a data center but the property is not for sale,” Jeffers said.

He said he has received information on data centers from Hubbard officials about what that city has in place.

Jeffers said restrictions are what should be in place, rather than a ban of the centers.

“We need to do something and not let anything hit us. There are a lot of restrictions we can do in zoning,” Jeffers said.

He said the state also is working on issues related to data centers.

Zoning Inspector Gerry Brown said the zoning office has received no applications for permits for data centers.

SOUND WALL

Also, Trustee Doug Emerine said the township will have the Ohio Department of Transportation construct a noise barrier along Route 5/82 eastbound with the project fully funded by the state and currently in the design phase.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2027.

A letter from Sean Carpenter, District 4 environmental specialist with ODOT, said a change in the design of the proposed barrier along the western portion of the project from Route 45 east to the west bank of Youngs Run Creek, where the recommended barrier will be located near the edge of the highway shoulder.

He said letters have been sent to the affected residents.

“Unlike traditional noise abatement barriers, the department has developed and begun constructing a new type of sound barrier aimed at improving effectiveness while reducing construction costs,” he said.

Carpenter said the initiative is based on recent post-construction noise surveys completed by benefited residents and property owners as well as acoustic field measurements conducted by ODOT.

“Traditionally, noise barriers must be offset 8 to 10 feet from the edge of the shoulder to meet design requirements. However the newly recommended concrete barrier standing 6 feet 9 inches tall can be installed directly at the edge of the paved shoulder,” Carpenter said. “This closer proximity to the dominant noise source results in more effective noise reduction.”

He said despite being shorter than conventional barriers, the new design provides comparable noise abatement.

Carpenter said no design changes will be made to the remaining portion of the project with the rest of the barrier to be constructed as a traditional noise abatement barrier with an average height of 17 feet.