Allen Park Planning Commission denies data center proposal
The Allen Park Planning Commission denied a data center proposal from Solstice Data Center, citing a lack of critical information regarding site plans and necessary approvals. This decision was a win for local residents who have actively opposed the project. Concurrently, Governor Gretchen Whitmer rejected a statewide legislative measure to pause data center construction.
The Allen Park Planning Commission recently denied a preliminary site plan review for the proposed Solstice Data Center, marking a significant victory for local residents who have actively opposed the project. Commissioners cited the developer's failure to provide crucial information, including civil plans, property boundaries, and necessary approvals from engineering and landscaping teams, despite specific requests.
Residents expressed strong opposition, with cheers erupting when board members criticized the project and boos when a developer's representative spoke. One long-time Allen Park resident remarked on the perceived inconsistency, stating that even a slightly larger gas station was denied, while a data center was considered despite local objections.
This local decision in Allen Park coincided with a broader statewide development where Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer rejected a legislative proposal that would have imposed a moratorium on data center construction across the state. This move by the governor has drawn criticism from some residents, who question her stance on data center development, especially in light of other projects like one in Saline. Following the commission's denial, a project lead for Solstice Data Center declined to comment to FOX 2.