Penn Township Residents rally for a Data Center moratorium

PENN TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Residents packed a Penn Township Board meeting this week to push for a temporary moratorium on data centers, joining a growing number of Michigan communities considering restrictions on the rapidly expanding industry.

The meeting reached capacity, with only about 100 residents able to attend and participate as concerns mounted over potential industrial development and the township’s zoning process.

Although data centers were not originally listed on the meeting agenda, trustees amended the agenda during the session to allow discussion of the issue. Residents urged the board to adopt a moratorium lasting as long as 24 months while township officials review zoning ordinances and planning procedures.

Trustees ultimately voted 5-1 to send a recommendation for a 30-day data center moratorium to the planning board for consideration.

Residents argued the township needs additional time to establish policies and procedures before approving any large-scale development. Some also raised concerns that Penn Township may be out of compliance with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Michigan Planning Enabling Act because required meetings have not been held regularly. Residents said that could undermine the legal stability of future zoning decisions or restrictions.

Several speakers criticized the proposed 30-day pause as insufficient and called for a longer moratorium to allow for a more comprehensive review of zoning rules and development standards.

Township officials said further discussion on a potential extended moratorium is expected during an emergency planning board meeting within the next several days.

The township supervisor said no land has been sold for industrial development in Penn Township. Officials acknowledged, however, that there has been interest in data center projects both within the county and in surrounding Michigan counties.