LORDSTOWN, Ohio - TJX presented plans for its 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center, that within five years plans to employ 1,000 people and bring an estimated $27 million dollars annually.

The company held a community meeting on Tuesday evening to present its plans for the proposed TJX Distribution Center. The presentation specifically outlined plans for construction.

TJX promised construction only during daylight hours to cut down on noise.

TJX Homegoods explained how it had changed its plans again and put a promise in writing to create a buffer zone and ensure that it continues to be a property that is undeveloped. That buffer zone is intended to cut down on proximity to homes, noise, and concerns that some residents had expressed about the distribution center being located at that site which was zoned residential.

Also included in the presentation were the company's plans for LED lights that point towards the building, a retention pond for rainwater runoff, road rerouting, and traffic lights.

Vice President of Real Estate for TJX Mark Walker said, "One hundred seventy acres will encompass the total development, the rest of the 290 acres will be an environmental buffer. The buffer will have trees planted and it will restrict future development through establishing this buffer a conservation easement or something similar that meets the requirements of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency."

About half of the residents who attended Tuesday's meeting were against the project.

Many said they want the distribution center in Lordstown, just not on that specific property.

Robert Dellick said, "I'm extremely disappointed in any Lordstown officials who are going to support this in the council and the zoning. I think they just threw 91 households in that area under the bus. A lot of us bought our homes in that area with the intention that the neighborhood would stay the way it is. It will not, there is no buffer zone that will hide a truck coming and going every six minutes." His comments were met with applause by about half of the people who packed the community meeting room."

Others however like Bob Shaffer said, "I think the project is going to be a benefit to the community and our region. I live near the project. We need the jobs. I believe they have gone above and beyond what a company would do to alleviate concerns of residents, with all the natural barriers and buffers they agreed to leave in place or enhance. My hopes are this will be a catalyst to help kick-start this area. You start bringing in companies like TJX and other companies say hey they have a good workforce let's bring our business  there."

After listening to TJX's presentation, the planning commission voted to rezone or reclassify seven parcels of land, totaling 290 acres zoned residential to industrial.

This opens the door for TJX Home Goods to continue with plans to build its distribution center in Lordstown.

The vote was unanimous by all four zoning members on all parcels.

Mayor Arno Hill said, "This valley needs jobs. We've lost 2,700 jobs in the last year and a half. The company is willing to jump through a lot of hoops and do a lot of things to be a member of our community. After I heard the presentation and all the residents I had to take a look and say what is best for the community as a whole and I had to say yes."

The President of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce James Dignan said, "It's not often you get an opportunity or project like this that comes knocking on your door, a fortune 100 company that wants to spend 160 million to 170 million dollars right here in our backyard."

A Home Goods spokesperson issued the following statement saying: 

We are very pleased with the results of tonight’s Lordstown Planning Board vote and want to thank the Board members for their support. We want to reiterate, especially to those who reside alongside the property, that we are committed to being a good neighbor to the Lordstown community. We are confident that the enhancements we have made to our plan, which include substantial green space and forested area, berm and swale construction for water management, and road infrastructure to mitigate traffic, will minimize impact to them.  We want to thank all of those in the community who have supported our proposed project and look forward to continuing to collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies to make it a reality.