Lake Township drafts tougher data center rules with water and power limits

The Lake Township Planning Commission is actively developing a permanent ordinance to regulate data centers, or "high resource demand facilities," a move spurred by a six-month moratorium approved by the Lake Township Board of Trustees on July 16. The moratorium temporarily halts all data center approvals, construction, and expansions while officials evaluate the need for stricter local regulations and potential impacts on the environment, water supply, and public welfare.

At an August 12 meeting, Planning Commission Chairman Bob Siver presented an initial draft of the ordinance. His proposal includes rigorous standards for data centers, such as a 1-megawatt size limit, water demand limits of over 70 gallons per minute, and discharge limits of 6,000 gallons per day. These proposed limits are significantly stricter than those recommended by the planning firm Carlisle/Wortman Associates, which Siver consulted. The draft also mandates community meetings to develop a community benefit plan.

Siver emphasized that his draft is a starting point and is still incomplete, with further performance standards, setbacks, and decommissioning requirements yet to be finalized. Commission members were asked to review the current draft before the next meeting, scheduled for October 14. Although no formal action was taken on the draft, residents expressed gratitude for the commission's efforts during public comment, while also questioning potential developer interest in the township and the interplay with state law. Commission members stated they were unaware of specific developers, anticipating private landowner approaches.