Lordstown council sets June 16 as first public reading of zone change for TJX project

LORDSTOWN — At a special village council meeting tonight, council members read a letter from the Lordstown Zoning Commission indicating it approved zone changes for seven parcels of land related to the HomeGoods Inc./TJX Companies distribution center project.

Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill also announced the public hearing and first reading will be given to village council legislation regarding approval or denial of the zone change at 11 a.m. June 16 at Village Hall.

Two council members wanted to allow the roughly 30 people present to have the opportunity to talk to council tonight about the project, but council voted 4-2 against allowing public comments.

Tonight's meeting only served the one purpose – reading the letter – but it was necessary so the village clerk can advertise the public hearing in the local newspaper, Hill said.

That is necessary so all of steps can be taken in time to meet deadlines for the matter to go on the November general election ballot if citizens choose to put the matter to a public vote, Hill said.

The zoning commission approved the rezoning May 8 for 290 acres from residential to industrial that HomeGoods Inc. needs to build a $160 million, 1.2-million-square-foot distribution center at Ellsworth Bailey and Hallock Young roads.