Pere Marquette Township Board to Consider Data Center Moratorium
Pere Marquette Charter Township trustees are considering a proposed one-year moratorium on new data center development to allow time to study potential impacts and develop appropriate zoning regulations. Concerns include energy and water consumption, noise, and a lack of current zoning standards. The board will discuss this and other agenda items at its upcoming meeting.
Pere Marquette Charter Township trustees are scheduled to consider a proposed one-year moratorium on new data center development during their meeting on Tuesday, July 14. The temporary ban would allow township officials to research the potential impacts of data centers, including their energy and water consumption, noise, and the current absence of specific zoning standards.
The proposed ordinance aims to create time for the township to develop comprehensive zoning regulations before any data center proposals are submitted. The meeting packet does not indicate that any specific data center applications have been received. Other major agenda items for the board include a presentation on the township’s 2025 audited financial statements, consideration of a $1.36 million contract award to Hallack Contracting Inc. for Pere Marquette Conservation Park improvements, and the potential appointment of James McInnis as the township’s code enforcement officer. Trustees will also review a permit for Great Lakes Energy Cooperative to install fiber-optic cable for broadband expansion and consider proposals for standby generators for Township Hall and the fire department from Greene Electric Inc. and Energy Service Solutions LLC.