Trenton City Planning Commissioners voted unanimously to approve Prologis' site plan for an 880,000-square-foot data center development, moving the project closer to the start of major construction. The meeting drew about two dozen attendees as the Butler County project received site plan review approval.

Project Details and Specifications

The proposed data center development, designated "Project Mila" by developer Prologis, would be one of the biggest in Greater Cincinnati. The facility would include four buildings and an electrical substation on more than 140 acres of land in Trenton's industrial park. The project is projected to create 140 jobs. Planning and Zoning Administrator Randy Bridge stated that "when viewed as a whole, the proposed development meets or exceeds the applicable zoning requirements across all major site components, including layout, circulation, parking, lighting, landscaping, signage, and performance standards."

Bridge noted that more technical components of the project, such as stormwater management systems, are still under review by city engineering staff. The planning commissioners asked Bridge no questions before taking their unanimous vote to approve the site plan.

Community Opposition and Concerns

Despite the unanimous approval, not everyone supports the project. Trenton residents filled nearly every seat during the meeting, with many expressing frustration when the meeting concluded after 10 minutes and didn't include time for public comment in the agenda. Barry Blankenship, representing Woodsdale and Trenton Environmental Resistance, a group organizing against the data center, said he still has questions for the city about the project's environmental and health impacts as well as its proximity to Chrisholm MetroPark.

"It's like they don't care about what's going on with us or within parks or within the city or with citizens," Blankenship said. "It's really upsetting." Blankenship also expressed concerns about potential noise from the data center. According to acoustical analysis submitted by Prologis as part of the site plan review, all projected sound levels remain below the allowable nighttime limits, which are the most restrictive standards in the city's zoning code.

Traffic and Infrastructure Impacts

St. Clair Township resident Karen Embry raised significant concerns regarding the proposed data center’s impact on local infrastructure and environmental safety. During the recent public meeting, she highlighted potential threats to water quality and pointed to the escalating issue of traffic congestion near her property. Embry noted that the sheer volume of vehicles, including heavy commercial trucks, has made exiting her driveway increasingly difficult. She expressed frustration that those responsible for planning the project may not fully grasp the daily reality of residents who live along these increasingly busy routes.

In response to these concerns, city officials emphasized that the development process remains open for community feedback. They encouraged residents to participate in the upcoming city council meeting, which will serve as an additional forum for public input. This session provides a critical opportunity for citizens to engage directly with leadership and seek clarity on the project’s long-term effects on the community.

Broader Opposition Movement

The Trenton data center opposition is part of a larger movement across Ohio. People in Trenton are not the only ones pushing back on data center developments, as a group of rural Ohioans is proposing a constitutional amendment to ban huge AI data centers in the state. The approval represents a significant step forward for the Prologis development, though technical reviews by city engineering staff continue for components, including stormwater management systems. With site plan approval secured, the project moves closer to beginning major construction phases in Butler County.

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