Corunna ordinance regulates potential data centers
Corunna, Michigan, has unanimously passed Ordinance No. 26-03 to regulate potential data center development within the city. The new regulations require special use permits and mandate specific environmental controls, such as closed-loop cooling systems and noise limits. City officials aim to protect the community while attracting potential tax revenue from compliant developers.
The city of Corunna, Michigan, has enacted a new ordinance, No. 26-03, to establish regulations for future data center developments. Merliee Lawson, a long-term resident and the City Planner, spearheaded the creation of the legislation after researching modern data centers and existing Michigan ordinances. The ordinance, which passed unanimously on August 3, requires prospective data center builders to obtain a city special use permit and adhere to specific guidelines.
Key stipulations include mandating closed-loop cooling systems to prevent impact on Corunna's water supply and restricting operational noise to no more than 65dB, equivalent to a household vacuum. Additionally, the policy requires data centers to be set back 250 feet from property lines and roads, and 500 feet from residential dwellings. Lawson emphasized that while the city does not intend to zone out data centers entirely, it seeks to ensure they operate under Corunna's environmental and community protection standards.
Lawson highlighted the potential economic benefits for the city, noting that a compliant data center could generate millions in tax revenue, a significant increase from the current $7,000 to $8,000 tax base, which could fund schools, fire services, and road improvements. No formal data center requests have been received to date, and Lawson encourages residents to voice any concerns. She stated the ordinance was crafted to protect the city without closing the door on beneficial development.