Michigan Communities Take Action to Regulate Data Center Growth
In a move reflecting a broader trend across Michigan, two communities have enacted new measures to govern the development of data centers. On Monday, both Saginaw Township and Romulus took steps to impose restrictions on these facilities, citing concerns over noise, environmental impact, and community involvement.
The Saginaw Township Board of Trustees implemented a comprehensive ordinance designed to tightly regulate future data center projects. According to MLive, the 15-page ordinance includes strict standards such as capping noise levels at 40 decibels at property lines, mandating a 500-foot buffer from residential areas, and requiring the use of closed-loop or recycled water systems in cooling processes. Developers are also obligated to inform residents within a half-mile radius of any proposed site and to conduct at least two public meetings regarding their projects. The ordinance, which goes into effect on November 16, confines medium and hyperscale data centers to a specific part of the township.
On the same evening, Romulus City Council took more immediate action by unanimously approving a 180-day halt on data center developments, effective immediately. As reported by ClickOnDetroit, this temporary moratorium is intended to provide time for the city to establish permanent regulations. During the council meeting, several residents advocated for an outright ban, while Mayor Robert McCraight emphasized the potential benefits of smaller data centers to local businesses.
Both communities have yet to encounter any active data center proposals, making these measures preemptive. They join a growing number of Michigan localities taking similar steps; a Michigan Public analysis from July noted that 52 local governments had already placed moratoriums, with additional communities following suit since then.
The political climate in Michigan appears increasingly resistant to data centers. Although Governor Gretchen Whitmer has expressed support for data center expansion, mounting public opposition is influencing state politicians to adopt more cautious positions. Governor-elect Jocelyn Benson has proposed a statewide moratorium on data centers until developers can be held to rigorous environmental, energy, and transparency benchmarks, as reported by Crain’s Detroit.
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