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Residents urge moratorium, raise environmental and transparency concerns about proposed data center
Summary
Residents at the April 13 Conneaut City Council meeting urged a pause on data-center development, citing potential water and noise impacts, unanswered questions about chemicals and corporate partners, and requested a city resolution refusing cooperation with ICE if it seeks local partnership.
Residents urged Conneaut leaders on April 13 to slow plans for a proposed electrical/data center and to require more information about companies and environmental safeguards before any agreement moves forward.
At public comment, Joel Specht of 292 N. Amboy Road said his research suggested the firm involved 'seem[s] to be a broker' and urged Council to 'know who they are working with' and to consider a one-year moratorium on data-center development while the city conducts further review; he said he had petitions available. Charlotte Clouston of 123 Garden Street asked whether the facility would house chemicals, how those would be disposed of and what the facility’s decibel level would be. Policy analyst Molly Bindle of Policy Matters Ohio said she presented data at a community library meeting and that the more attendees learned, 'the more concerns they have.'
Other speakers raised environmental and community concerns. Parker Turner asked that data centers not be sited on farmland nor be permitted to use lake water. Julia Barton asked the city to stop roadway brining for dust suppression to protect the watershed and requested a resolution that the city will not partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gary Pagenkopf summarized changes under a proposed state bill (HB706) and warned that Ohio EPA rule changes could reduce protections for water quality to accommodate data-center development.
City Manager Sanford did not commit to specific local actions during the meeting but suggested residents consult the Ohio Municipal League and the National League of Cities for background information; he also noted the city will consider state and utility rules that affect potential agreements. Councilmember Emery voiced concern about state encouragement of data centers and tax abatements later in the meeting.
A community forum about data centers was announced for April 22 at the Ashtabula County District Library; several speakers urged Council to use the time to gather facts before acting. No ordinance or motion regarding a moratorium or data-center agreement was introduced during the April 13 meeting.
