On the agenda: Kent Minutes — Data Center (Aug 13)

0469
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Minutes of BRIMFIELD TOWNSHIP ZONING COMMISSION Meeting

BEAR GRAPHICS 600-325-6094 FORM NO, 10148

Held. 20.

BRIMFIELD TOWNSHIP ZONING COMMISSION
PUBLIC MEETING
MINUTES of July 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Brimfield Township Town Hall

Present: Chairman Tom Johnson, Debbie Darlas, Tom Sargent, Bill Anderson, Kolette
Woloszynek

Alternates: Carl Riggenbach, Robert Radoslovich
Absent:

Staff: Mike Hlad, Economic Development Director and Zoning Inspector, Todd Peetz with
Portage County Regional Planning, and Kayla Nealon, Zoning Secretary

The Zoning Commission meeting is called to order by Tom Johnson at 7:00 PM on July 9, 2026.

Roll call:
Anderson: [Here Darlas: [ere Johnson: [ere Sargent: Here
Woloszynek: Here Riggenbach: Here Radoslovich: Here

MOTION #2026-56
Debbie Darlas made a motion to accept the meeting agenda. Her motion was seconded by Bill
Anderson and passed unanimously.

MOTION #2026-57
Debbie Darlas made a motion to approve the June 10, 2026 Public Hearing meeting minutes.
Her motion was seconded by Kolette Woloszynek and passed unanimously.

MOTION #2026-58
Debbie Darlas made a motion to approve the June 11, 2026 meeting minutes. Her motion was
seconded by Tom Johnson and passed unanimously.

WORK SESSION:

Appendix E (Service Stations as a Conditionally Permitted Accessory Use):

Mike Hlad said this amendment would allow gas stations as an accessory to a primary use, and
used Walmart and Meijer as examples. This amendment would bring existing sites where there
is a gas station partnering with a larger store into conformance.

Tom Johnson asked if this would only be a change to Appendix E, and Mike Hlad said yes, it
would only add a new line stating, “Gasoline Service Stations as an Accessory Use”, and
renumbering the lines below it in the appendix. He added that Regional Planning Commission
approved the change at their meeting the night prior.

There were no comments or questions from the Commission regarding the amendment.
MOTION #2026-59

Bill Anderson made a motion to send the proposed amendment to Appendix E to the Trustees
for consideration. His motion was seconded by Tom Sargent and passed unanimously.

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__ Minutes of

REGRIAR Bin BOGERRINGE

Mecting

BEAR GRAPHICS _600-325.8094 FOAM NO 10148)

Held at

Proposed Map Amendment (Parcel #04-014-00-00-004-000):

Gregory Hards was present to discuss his application. He is the owner of Tri County Service o1
the corner of Howe Road and State Route 43. He said he purchased the property in 2017, and
they have steadily continued to grow and are now outgrowing their space.

He acquired the lot behind him and would like to build a new warehouse on the site to bring al
the current outdoor storage under roof. The warehouse would be directly behind the current
shop and eventually they would tear down the original store, using that area as parking, and
merging the two properties together.

Bill Anderson questioned the sudden large increase in property taxes on the new lot and
Gregory Hards was unsure as he just recently acquired the lot. Mike Hlad believed the sudden
increase was probably the sewer assessment charge. Gregory Hards said once the lots are
merged, they will tap into the sewer system, but they need to combine the lots first. They do not
want to merge the properties as they exist now and have one lot in two separate zoning districts.

Tom Sargent asked about the cxisting home on the parcel adjacent to the lot in question.
Gregory Hards said he would like to purchase it at some point, but currently he does not have
rights to the home as there are existing tax liens. Once the liens are paid off, he plans to
purchase the home, tear it down, and keep the lot vacant until he is ready for another phase of
expansion.

Tom Johnson was concerned about the property on Howe Road to the west of Mr. Hards lot andl
asked what the distance was from his property to the adjacent home. Gregory Hards said he
purchased the property from those individuals, and they are aware of his plans. When asked if
he was planning on installing fencing, Mr. Hards said he told the former property owner that
some sort of buffer would be installed. He added he has no intention of building near that
property line, and he will be keeping the existing trees. Mike Hlad said he has already made Mt.
Hards aware that the BZA will require fencing or a buffer of some sort.

Tom Johnson asked about the incoming sewer line. Mike Hlad said water and sewer are in the
process, but the work cannot commence until a pump station is constructed. He added that if
property is sold, the county will require them to tie into the new system. When asked about th
current acreage, Gregory Hards said they are currently on one acre, but this plan would double}
the size of the property. The lot he plans to purchase in the future is 2.5 acres and would squar'
off the entire site.

MOTION #2026-60

Tom Johnson made a motion to send the proposed map amendment to Reginal Planning
Commission for their input and Bill Anderson seconded his motion. All members were in
favor.

MOTION #2026-61
Kolette Woloszynek made a motion to set a public hearing for August 13" at 6:30pm. Tom
Sargent seconded his motion, and all members were in favor.

DISCUSSION:

Data Center Update:
Todd Peetz provided the Commission with a document that covers community benefit

agreements, moratoriums, and suggested questions to ask regarding data centers. He said
Shalersville has been working on different ways to address the issues that have come up
throughout the process there. The project being proposed in Shalersville is 750 megawatts and
they would like to limit data centers to 25 megawatts per day to prevent excessive amounts of
electricity being used. Todd Peetz said several townships are discussing hiring an attorney fol
OTA to write a standard model for their zoning codes. Regional Planning has not created such!
documents yet since there are still many issues being worked through at state and local levels.

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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Minutes of BRIMFIELD TOWNSHIP ZONING COMMISSION : Meeting

BEAR GRAPHICS 600-025-6004 FORMNO, 10748

Held 20.

Kolette Woloszynek questioned if the Commission could require data center developers to
provide greenspace or other benefit to the Township, asking how it would be different from
when residential developers are required to provide greenspace and playgrounds. Todd Peetz
suggested creating a requirement for pervious surfaces. Kolette Woloszynek then asked about
requiring they give profits back to the community in some form. Todd Peetz said that would fall
under contract zoning. Kolette Woloszynek felt the Commission needs to try to build benefits
into the Zoning Resolution in some way. Todd Pectz said they necd to keep in mind that any
restrictions they place on developers must be enforceable, questioning how the Township would
monitor the electricity usage of a private entity.

Mike Hlad suggested the members create their own lists of pros and cons so that everything can
be combined into the draft language. Tom Johnson felt they should weigh out light versus heavy
industrial areas. He liked the idea about limiting the size to dictate the location, adding the
Commission also needs to consider the number of backup generators, the type of generators,
how much noise they produce, and if they can limit them.

Mike Hlad said the suggested decibel level has already been provided and should be included as
part of the resolution. Todd Peetz said the ambient noise from the road is 40 decibels, and 55
decibels is considered “tolerable”. He asked if the Commission is in favor of something
considered tolerable — noting 65 decibels is considered damaging — and said there needs to be
40-50 decibels or less coming off the property line. Tom Sargent questioned how it can be
determined since the decibel level depends on where the reading is taken. He said his
background is in sound transfer and said the Commission needs to find a way to obtain a reading
on humming sounds that aren’t necessarily audible and can even carry through the ground.

Mike Hlad pointed out the area off 261 that is zoned L-I, saying the bulk is owned by Carter
Lumber and the McNeil family. He proposed creating a new zoning district for that area, calling
it an I.-I Data Center District or an Information Technology District. That would keep it in an
isolated area, so if one were to develop, it would not affect the bulk of the residents. He said it
was an idea to consider, adding that doing it this way would create a new district rather than
affecting all the L-I areas within the Township, some of which are much more highly populated.

Tom Sargent felt that as they discuss individual data centers and hear the amount of electricity
used at cach facility, the usage is comparable to heavy industrial uses. Mike Hlad said the area
off 261 has water from Kent and power lines running through those properties — adding it is one
of the more likely areas a data center would be developed — and saying that creating a district
would allow the Township to carve out their own property lines for the area. Tom Johnson
questioned if the Commission would then only be offering one area, and Mike IIlad said yes,
one district only near 261. Tom Johnson said they could then add additional caveats to the
district to meet the spirit of the law. Mike Hlad said the Township would not need to worry
about their wells because Kent would be providing the water and electricity in that area.

Bill Anderson felt his opinion is skewed as data centers can be classified as two different things:
business that has on site storage for day-to-day operation, and crypto mining. He felt crypto
mining only belongs in the heavy industrial district. Mike Hlad said Rootstown has multiple
definitions based on the type of operation and suggested we could separate the two into distinct
districts. Bill Anderson said the term ‘data center’ is too broad, saying data centers can store
your information, or they can mine to make bitcoin. He said the mining operation is meant to
make money, so if a data center is here to profit from us, we should be able to profit from them
as well. He believes a data center should be limited by size, and crypto mining should be
prohibited in the Township. Bill Anderson added the Township should require a $5,000 bond so
if one closes, the Township can make sure the equipment is removed at the data center’s cost.
Ile said a large substation will be needed to run these buildings and the size of the generators
used are comparable to several Cummins trucks — very large and will make noise no matter
what. He felt a sound barrier will be needed around the entire property, and the building should
have sound reduction features as well.

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Minutes of

REGRBR Rink QREERINGE

Meeting

BEAR GRAPHICS 000-325-8094 FORM NO 101a6

Held. a0...

Bill Anderson questioned who would pay for utility upgrades, adding something needs to be
included in the language that the residents of the Township are not responsible for rate
increases, as well as stating that utility companies cannot base rates on the overall Township
consumption. He said NOPEC recently said because of the Township’s overall consumption
rate, they can provide residents with a better deal and questioned if a data center would also be
part of NOPEC if one were in the Township.

Tom Sargent said everything he has read about data centers so far shows electricity rates
increasing for those who live around them, adding if the utility company is running at capacity
they’ ll opt to sell to the data center primarily. Bill Anderson said that PJN controls the national
grid in our area, and when Ohio utilities reach capacity, PJN must allow them to purchase on thte
open market, transmitting electricity across power lines at a premium price. He said when we
have a 100° day and PJM must open the market because First Energy can’t cover the need, the:
charge you a premium on demand. If the data center consumes 20% of the generating ability,
they need to go on the open market to serve the remainder of their clients.

Robert Radoslovich questioned why Geis is moving forward in Shalersville when there is so
much opposition. Mike Hlad said the money involved in these projects is hard to fathom, so th
developers are not concerned with the local push back. Todd Peetz said when he toured the
Massillon facility, they wanted the government employees to sell the project to the community
and were upsct that he was not willing to push the public. This resulted in them hiring a
marketing firm instead to gain favor with the community. The firm was supposed to help
smooth things over with the public; however, they were not very educated on the matter, and it
was obvious to the residents. Todd Peetz said the public should be educated without needing to
be sold a data center, and each individual center needs to be evaluated as they can be
dramatically different.

Tom Sargent equated data centers to housing developers on steroids, saying they are in it for
nothing but to make money. He voiced concern with how rushed these projects are moving,
saying they appear to be a bubble where developers are rushing to build them, but questioned
what happens when the bubble pops. Tom Sargent was also concerned about what types of dat
could be stored, asking if we are building targets for attacks on our infrastructure.

Mike Hlad commended the Commission for the research and thought-out discussion they have!
put into creating standards for data centers. He encouraged them to continue to be thorough,
saying the moratorium can be renewed in the fall, and suggested requesting that Todd Pcctz find
sites that would have the least impact to residents of Brimfield.

Tom Johnson said they’ve been discussing capacity and size but felt power consumption should
be discussed further. Bill Anderson said the Township should be concerned with utility
consumption, noting that while data centers create many jobs, they are mostly short-term. Tom
Johnson suggested allowing data centers in I.-I but limiting the size, and those that are defined
as mining operations must be located in H-I. Tom Sargent was concerned about developers
linking multiple buildings and Mike Hlad felt the Commission should put a limit on the acreage
they occupy.

Tom Johnson asked Mike Hlad when he thinks the Commission should open the topic up for
community feedback and Mike IIlad said when the first draft is put together. Tom Johnson
suggested having a separate meeting strictly for data center discussion with the public and the
Commission agreed.

Resident Dave Soos felt the Township may have a difficult time enforcing what type of data is
being stored.

Resident Phil Ridenour was in favor of requiring failed data center buildings to be restored to
their original state and suggested using ODNR and EPA to assist in enforcement. He believed
the electricity to these data centers is guaranteed as they cannot be without power, but when t
grid is strained, the power companies will first limit the supply to the residents.

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0473

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Minutes of BRIMFIELD TOWNSHIP ZONING COMMISSION Meeting

(BEAR GRAPHICS 800-325-6004 FORM NO, 10146

Held. 20.

Comprehensive Land Use Plan ~ Chapter 9, Land Use and Zoning:

Mike Hlad felt the Commission should revisit this chapter once they make a final decision on
where to allow data centers. He added that they are close to exceeding their allotted hours with
Regional Planning, and suggested the Commission ask the Trustees if they would like the
Commission to continue reviewing the Comprehensive Lane Use Plan or if they prefer it is put
on hold. Mike Hlad was concerned that continuing such intensive work with Regional Planning
could result in a $10,000 to $15,000 invoice when the Township budget is already tight.

Todd Peetz said Brimfield is close to exhausting their resources with the County and estimated
it would cost roughly $10,000 to $15,000 for him to complete the plan by the end of the year
including a Township bus tour. Mike Hlad had no problem reconvening again in January but
wanted the Trustees to be involved either way. He would like to save the remaining balance of
Regional Planning hours for regular meeting items.

MOTION #2026-62

Tom Johnson made a motion to request the Trustees consider allocating funds for Regional
Planning to complete the Comprehensive Land Use Plan in this calendar year, anticipating an
additional $10,000-$15,000 would be needed. Tom Sargent seconded his motion, and all
members were in favor.

GOOD OF THE ORDER:
Mike Hlad updated the Commission on several matters and projects including:

¢ The official grand opening and tour of Kenda Tire will be held July 23 at 10am.

¢ Flyers are posted at Town Hall for the summer bash car show scheduled for August 8"
from noon to 6pm. Wing Warehouse will be open and have beer stations set up outside,
and there will also be food trucks and live music. Wyles Farm is putting on this event.
They are expanding and looking at making major land purchases up to the freeway.

e Platos Closet is scheduled to open this weekend.

e The siding and stonework at Saint Edwards are now complete and they are scheduled to
open later this year.

e 7Brew, Subway, and Pavlik and Reppas Oral Surgery Center are currently working
through building permit approval (Subway is moving from Brimfield Plaza to Brimfield
Crossings).

e The figures for water and sewer installation came in and look very positive. The
Township would receive 100% of funds leftover after installation is complete.

e Waffle House has submitted a variance application for the lot next to Dunkin Donuts.
They are looking for a 5’ variance on their frontage.

e Mike Hlad is currently working on a TIF for the properties on Tallmadge Road that are
adjacent to the City of Tallmadge. ‘The funds from this TIF would be earmarked for
roadways and infrastructure. He said TIFs have been providing the Township with the
bulk of our moncy, and the Tallmadge JEDD has produced over 11 million dollars in
infrastructure that the Township did not have to pay for.

SET NEXT MEETING:

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Thursday, August 13", 2026.
MOTION #2026-63

A motion was made by Debbie Darlas to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m., seconded by Bill
Anderson. The motion passed unanimously.

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Minutes of

0474

Mecting

BEAR GRAPHICS 600-325-0094 FORMNO 10148

Held. 20,

Jame & QD ren Lith, uke

Chairman Tom Jobfson Vice Chair Debbie Darlas
pull. Whee “on « lin ager,
Bill Anilerson Tom Sargent
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Kolette Woloszynek

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Alternate Caf Riggenbach Alternate Robert Radoslovich

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