UPDATE | Judge recesses TJX hearing; will rule Friday

WARREN — Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court has recessed the injunction hearing following closing statements by both parties.

He is slated to rule on the matter Friday.

11:41 a.m.

WARREN — Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court today is hearing witness testimony and closing arguments in a lawsuit related to a proposed HomeGoods distribution center in Lordstown.

The lawsuit, filed by two dozen village residents, challenges the constitutionality of a state law that expedited a referendum on zone changes Lordstown village council approved for the project. The referendum took place last month and passed by a large majority.

Judge Kontos previously denied the plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order on the project. Today’s hearing is in regard to requests for a declaratory judgment and permanent injunction.

The plaintiffs’ counsel so far has called three village residents and Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill as witnesses.

A ruling is not expected today.

HomeGoods plans to build a 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center on a 290-acre site on Hallock Young and Ellsworth Bailey roads.