Kalamazoo city commission to hold final vote on data center moratorium tonight
The Kalamazoo City Commission is scheduled to hold a final public hearing and vote on a proposed one-year moratorium on data centers and large battery energy storage systems. The pause would give city staff and a community working group time to develop zoning standards and study potential impacts.
The Kalamazoo City Commission is scheduled to vote on a one-year moratorium covering data centers and large battery energy storage systems. If approved, the moratorium would begin immediately and provide time to revise zoning codes before a facility is proposed in the city.
Assistant City Planner Bobby Durkee said the city intends to research appropriate land uses and develop detailed regulations through a transparent process. Commissioners also urged the working group to include residents and environmental interests, rather than relying primarily on industry and utility representatives, amid concerns that inadequate rules could create neighborhood problems or invite legal challenges.