Van Buren Township officials to consider final site plan for Google data center
Van Buren Township officials are set to vote on the final site plan for Google's "Project Cannoli" data center in October, despite significant opposition from residents concerned about property values, noise, and utility usage. The project, which already received preliminary approval, would be a massive hyperscale data center consuming substantial water and power. The township has approved a $125 million tax break, leading to a recall campaign against the township board.
The Van Buren Township Planning Commission is scheduled to vote on the final site plan for Google's proposed "Project Cannoli" hyperscale data center in October, following preliminary approval granted in February. The project, slated for 282 acres near Interstate 94 in Wayne County, Michigan, is projected to use between 2 million and 3.6 million gallons of water daily and one gigawatt of power.
Local residents have voiced heated opposition, citing concerns about potential impacts on property values, sound levels, and utility consumption. This opposition has escalated into a recall campaign against the entire township board, including Supervisor Kevin McNamara, Clerk Leon Kelly, Treasurer Sharry Budd, and Trustees Bryon Kelley, Kevon Martin, and Donald Boynton, Jr.
Supervisor McNamara has defended the township's decision to approve a $125 million local tax break for the project, asserting that it enabled negotiations for community benefits such as green landscaping, water use, and noise reduction requirements. The agreement also grants the township authority to revoke Google's tax benefit if the company defaults on the terms. Officials maintain that the project falls under "use by right" in state zoning law, obligating the planning commission to approve the site plan if it complies with local zoning ordinances.