Court ruling could affect data center disputes

MONROEVILLE — An Ohio Supreme Court decision involving a proposed data center in northeast Ohio could have implications for Monroeville, where village officials have imposed their own temporary restrictions on data center development. The unanimous ruling, issued Tuesday, found that the village of Lordstown in Trumbull County was not required to continue reviewing a developer's plans during a temporary moratorium. Monroeville adopted a one-year moratorium Feb. 24 as officials considered regulations for data centers, including a proposed development by Decimal Digital in the Fort Monroe Industrial Park. The decision does not automatically validate Monroeville's restrictions or prohibit data centers across Ohio. However, it illustrates how a moratorium can affect projects that have already entered the planning process. How the case developedBristolville 25 Developer LLC submitted preliminary plans in October 2025 to construct four three-story data centers on industrially zoned property in Lordstown. The village approved a ban on data centers the following month but repealed it in January 2026, replacing it with a six-month moratorium. Officials later extended the restrictions through the end of 2026. The developer challenged the village's refusal to continue reviewing its plans, arguing the project should be evaluated under the zoning rules in effect when its submission was made. The Supreme Court rejected that argument, finding the developer had not established a clear legal right to continued review. The justices distinguished between submitting preliminary plans and completing the requirements necessary to apply for a construction permit. Because the developer had not completed the required review process, Lordstown was not legally obligated to continue evaluating the proposal during its moratorium. Why it matters locallyMonroeville's moratorium followed discussions about data center development and concerns involving electric service, water usage, noise and surrounding properties. Village officials have continued discussing possible zoning regulations for future facilities. Although the circumstances in Lordstown and Monroeville differ, the ruling provides another example of how Ohio communities are addressing data center development through local zoning and planning procedures. The Supreme Court did not review Monroeville's moratorium or make any determination about the proposed Decimal Digital project, which remains a separate matter.