Houghton considers a moratorium on data center developments
Houghton's city council is considering a moratorium on data center development to establish regulations proactively. The City Planning Commission recommended the moratorium, and a draft document is under review by council members. This is a preventative measure, as no data center developers have yet approached the city.
The Houghton City Council is actively weighing a moratorium on data center developments, acting on a recommendation from the Houghton City Planning Commission. City Manager Eric Waara informed council members that this move is a proactive measure to establish necessary regulations before any data center projects are proposed, stating that the city wants to avoid being "caught flat-footed."
Waara shared a drafted document with the councilors for review ahead of their upcoming July regular meeting. Although no developers have approached the city, the intent is to perform due diligence. Separately, Houghton County had also explored data center regulations at the county level, but those discussions have been tabled since April.