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Residents press county commissioners on redistricting split and ask about data center oversight
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Summary
Two Ravenna residents urged the board to respond to recent congressional redistricting that split the county and asked whether proposed land‑preservation rules will cover data centers; residents also raised property‑level flooding concerns and fears about groundwater from data centers.
Two members of the public used the April 13 public comment period to raise political and land‑use concerns with the Portage County Board of Commissioners.
Rochelle Eaton of Ravenna told the board she was "devastated" that parts of Portage County — including Kent and Streetsboro — are no longer in the same congressional district and said the split reduces continuity of representation. "It's to me, it's just really sad that our county has been cut up... someone, you know, a neighbor who literally is 5 minutes down the street is not in the same congressional district as me," Eaton said. She also asked why county preservation policy around wind and solar had not explicitly included data centers and requested that the county consider disclosure requirements for data center proposals.
April Berry of Ravenna said she opposed data centers in the county, citing concerns that they would lower property values, raise property taxes and pose risks to groundwater and future generations. Berry also described a recurring backyard flooding and drainage problem near Spruce (she provided a street address) that she said has prevented her family from obtaining a fence permit; she said building department responses to the issue have been unsatisfactory.
County officials responded that the county intends to approach data center proposals on a case‑by‑case basis and to follow the will of local political subdivisions; commissioners said they would require transparency and disclosure and would not "let anything slip by." Officials noted some townships have been addressing data center proposals locally and that county oversight would consider community input.
The public comment period closed after the speakers finished; commissioners did not announce immediate policy changes but acknowledged the concerns and said they would monitor developments and review disclosure and permitting processes as matters arise.
