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McDONALD -- While the village's planning/zoning commission and Solicitor Doug Ross have been working on zoning ordinances that would deal with regulations for data centers, village residents want council to put a moratorium on the facilities.
Nearly 100 people gathered at the McDonald High School auditorium Wednesday. The meeting location was moved to accommodate the expected large crowd who wanted to voice their concerns about a data center possibly locating at the former McDonald U.S. Steel property off Ohio Avenue.
Mayor Ray Lewis said they want to hear first from Oppidan officials at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the high school gymnasium about their possible interest in the former steel mill site. Lewis said there will be a presentation by Oppidan and then the public can meet directly with engineers and environmental consultants who plan to be there.
"This company is proactively coming to the village to meet with us and residents. They have not purchased the property. I appreciate that they are willing to come to the village and talk to us about what their interests are," Lewis said.
He said he would like to see some type of business locate at the industrial park.
He said the planning commission and Ross have been working on a draft to address data centers that has been given to GPD Group for approval.
Village Administrator Thomas Domitrovich said he would like to see some type of business or corporation locate in McDonald, but guidelines and regulations will need to be in place.
"The village has been proactive in dealing with this," he said.
Council President Sean Schmidt said since the steel mill closed in 2023, the village has been looking for a business to locate in the community and generate taxes for the community.
As for a moratorium being requested by many residents, Councilwoman Kerry Reckard said she wants to hear from Oppidan officials on Tuesday.
RESIDENTS WANT ANSWERS
Several residents at the meeting asked how prepared the village is if a company wants to move forward with a data center.
Resident Joe Guarino said he appreciates that officials have spent the past 18 months preparing ordinances and gathering information on data centers.
"It is important that the village prepare legislation to protect families from any hazardous conditions that a data center will bring to the village," Guarino said.
He said he is concerned that Oppidan is already in the process of purchasing the industrial park.
"You just can't give the keys to the village to Oppidan or any other developer. If they come in, it must be under our terms. Remember this is our village," Guarino said.
He said current village zoning ordinances will not protect the village from a data center locating there.
Guarino said a moratorium will give the village time to be prepared if a data center wants to locate in McDonald.
Resident Elizabeth Johnson said the amount of people at the meeting shows there are concerns from the public about a data center and its effect on the village such as noise and emissions.
"All the communities around us have moratoriums in place for data centers. We need to have an emergency moratorium in place through 2027 to be prepared and protect this village," Johnson said.
Resident Sandy Frazzini said she is concerned for the health and safety of the public.
"It is frightening. Data centers come with risks. We are worried about our health. The air we breathe and the water we drink,'' she said
Resident Jackie Rasile said she and other residents do not want a data center in their backyards and with the village being small, that is what will happen.
Resident Linda Lee said the village is one mile from Marshall Road to the steel mill property off Ohio Avenue. She recommended council look at attracting other types of businesses to the industrial park.
Other residents asked if a data center or other business locates in the village, will there be a buffer zone and also questioned the effects on neighboring communities such as Niles, Girard and Weathersfield.
"This is a serious decision for the village officials. A data center is not the answer.'' said resident Fran Petrullo.
Fire Chief Fred Marcum said the village is not prepared to handle the construction of a data center at the steel mill property.