The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled against Bristolville 25 Developer, L.L.C. in a significant case regarding the development of a data center in Lordstown, Ohio. The court denied Bristolville's request for a writ of mandamus, which sought to compel the Village of Lordstown to review its site plan for the proposed data center. This ruling affects Bristolville and other developers looking to build data centers in the area amid ongoing regulatory changes.
The case, officially known as State ex rel. Bristolville 25 Developer, L.L.C. v. Lordstown, was filed under docket number 2025-1497. The court's decision, issued on October 20, 2026, came after a lengthy legal battle that began when Bristolville attempted to initiate the site-plan-review process for its project.
Background
Bristolville 25 Developer, L.L.C., along with BHGH Properties, sought to develop a parcel of land in Lordstown for a large-scale data center. The property was zoned for industrial use, and Bristolville initiated the site-plan-review process on October 20, 2025. However, shortly after Bristolville submitted its plans, the Village of Lordstown enacted a moratorium on new data center developments, effectively halting the review process.
The moratorium was passed by the Lordstown Village Council in response to growing concerns about data centers in the area. It prohibited the issuance of new permits and the processing of applications for data centers. This ordinance was set to remain in effect for up to 180 days, with the potential for extension, which ultimately occurred when the council extended the moratorium for an additional 180 days in June 2026.
Bristolville argued that the village was legally obligated to review its site plan under the ordinances in effect before the moratorium was enacted. The developer contended that it had a vested right to proceed with the application based on the laws that existed when it submitted its plans. The case escalated to the Ohio Supreme Court after lower courts ruled on the matter.
The Ruling
The Ohio Supreme Court, in a per curiam opinion, denied Bristolville's request for a writ of mandamus. The court ruled that the Village of Lordstown did not have a clear legal duty to proceed with the review of the site plan due to the existing moratorium on data centers. The court stated, "Relators have not shown a clear legal right to the relief they seek in this case, we deny the writ." The ruling was joined by all justices on the court, including Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor and Justices Fischer, DeWine, Brunner, Deters, Hawkins, and Shanahan.
The court's opinion emphasized that Bristolville had not yet met the necessary legislative requirements to obtain a permit for the data center. The justices noted that the moratorium effectively suspended any obligations for the village to conduct site-plan reviews or act on applications for data centers during its enforcement period.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for Bristolville and other developers seeking to establish data centers in Lordstown. The decision reinforces the authority of local governments to impose moratoriums on specific types of developments, particularly when community concerns arise. It sets a precedent that developers may not have a vested right to proceed with projects if local laws change during the application process.
Furthermore, the court clarified that developers must comply with all legislative requirements before they can claim any rights under existing zoning laws. This ruling may lead to more cautious approaches from developers when submitting plans in areas where local regulations are subject to change.
What's Next
Following this ruling, Bristolville's options for appeal are limited, as the Ohio Supreme Court's decision is final. However, the village's moratorium on data centers remains in effect, and it is unclear how long it will last or if further extensions will occur. Developers in similar situations may need to reassess their strategies and consider alternative locations or project types that align with current zoning regulations.