TRENTON, Ohio (WKRC) – What should be the Tri-State’s largest data center is moving forward despite opposition from residents.
It took less than 10 minutes for the Trenton Planning Commission to approve the 1-million-square-foot project. Residents who attended Monday night’s meeting were surprised by its brevity and lack of any questions from the commissioners. They were also frustrated when they were not allowed to ask questions after the decision.
Residents have challenged city leaders for months with concerns about their health, environment, water use, energy and quality of life in the small Butler County town.
Amy Humbert said: “It seems that we have just been ignored as citizens of the city of Trenton. “They decided when we first knew about this issue, it would be accepted if the whole city said it was not wanted. The council was there and the commission would appoint it. That’s my opinion.”
Angie Markham said: “We’ve been accused many times of spreading misinformation because it’s not the same information they have and want to share.
Prologis – one of the largest equipment manufacturers in the world – plans to build a data center on a 145-hectare site purchased in the city for $ 7.75 million.
Earlier in March, the company revealed some of its plans. Site plans show what they’re planning: four buildings and an 880,000-square-foot station.
The company provided information on its energy and water use, as well as lighting, traffic, noise and storm water discharge. However, residents still have unanswered questions.
“We don’t have a study that affects health. We don’t have a study that affects the environment,” Markham said. “I was hoping that maybe we would be able to open some eyes in this whole process, but I’m not surprised that it just went on.”
After several public records requests, Jake Davis is concerned about transparency.
“Currently, there is still a gap between the scope of the project and the written communication available to the public, which makes it difficult to understand how these results were resolved,” said Davis.
The first foundation on the site is already underway. Prologis said final plans and permit applications have been submitted for construction of the first building. The company hopes to break ground in September, with the project completed by early 2029.
Local 12 raised the concerns of residents with City Mayor Ryan Perry, City Manager Marcos Nichols and Planning and Zoning Director Randy Bridge, asking:
- How can citizens have confidence in the decision-making process when the next step in the project seems to have been approved in minutes without meaningful discussion?
- Given months of citizen concerns about health, environmental impact, water use and electricity demand, how is the city handling these issues as the project moves forward?
- What specific steps has the city taken to ensure that residents’ input is truly considered before granting zoning permits?
- How is the city responding to concerns that citizens asking questions are being dismissed as spreading “misinformation?”
- Have health and environmental studies been done for this project? If not, does the city plan to require them? If not, why?
- Some residents have expressed concerns about transparency, particularly regarding public records requests. How does the City ensure that project-related communications and documentation requests are completed completely and accurately?
- Given the size and potential impact of this development, is the city willing to delay the process to allow for greater transparency and more public input? And does the city take their views seriously?
Neither Perry nor Nichols responded at the time of publication; However, Bridge answered as many questions as he could and shared the following answers:
How can citizens have confidence in the decision-making process when the next step in the project seems to have been approved in minutes without meaningful discussion?
Planning Commission meetings can vary in length, and we understand how the speed of this item may raise questions for some residents.
What was not evident during the meeting was the extensive review process that took place beforehand. Over the past several months, City staff have been holding regular coordination meetings, along with other discussions related to the topic, with the applicant and their consultants to evaluate all aspects of the project against the City’s zoning requirements.
That work culminated in a comprehensive staff report that was given to the Planning Commission before the meeting. The Commission bases its decision on that comprehensive review.
Although the discussion of the meeting itself was short, it shows the Commission’s confidence in the serious analysis of the staff and the decision that the proposal is consistent with the City’s approved standards of the areas.
Considering months of citizen concerns about health, environmental impact, water use, and electricity demand, how is the city handling these issues as the project moves forward?
The City Review is guided by the regional requirements of the IG General Industrial District. As specified in the zoning code, the applicant must demonstrate that all applicable regulations related to health, environmental performance and operational impacts will be met.
Where specific matters fall outside the scope of local jurisdiction, the City of Trenton will follow the guidance of the appropriate regulatory agencies. This includes agencies such as the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Butler County Health District, which have jurisdiction over environmental and public health issues.
Have health and environmental studies been done for this project? If not, does the city plan to require them? If not, why?
At this time, no separate, comprehensive health or environmental studies have been conducted by the city for this project, and the city does not require those types of studies as part of the current review process.
Potential environmental and operational impacts are addressed through a combination of targeted technical assessments and monitoring by appropriate regulatory agencies. For example, stormwater management, conditions and utility processes are reviewed in detail by the City Service Director and City Engineer, while issues such as air emissions and broader environmental management fall under the control of federal and state agencies, including the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Because of this plan, the City does not require an independent, comprehensive health or environmental impact study as part of the site plan approval, and there are no plans to require one at this stage. The project is being reviewed in accordance with the City’s approved policies and established review process.
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