Trenton voters approve Issue 17, limiting new data centers to 25 megawatts
Trenton voters approved Issue 17 by about 80% to 20%, amending the city charter to limit new data centers to 25 megawatts. The measure’s effect on a Prologis data center already under construction remains uncertain, with the company saying the restriction will not affect its project while opponents question whether it has secured vested rights.
Trenton voters approved Issue 17 by an approximately 80% to 20% margin, changing the city charter to cap new data centers at 25 megawatts. The citizen-led Woodsdale and Trenton Environmental Resistance group supported the measure, arguing residents should have greater control over development decisions. Conserve Ohio co-founder and attorney Nick Owens said similar data center restrictions passed in 10 Ohio communities.
The vote leaves unresolved whether the charter amendment applies to Prologis’ data center project, which is already under construction but has progressed only through site work. Owens questioned whether the project has obtained vested rights under Ohio law, while Prologis said the restriction does not affect its development and highlighted expected jobs, tax revenue and community benefits. The City of Trenton had not responded to requests for comment when the article was published.