Kalamazoo likely to enact data center moratorium soon
Kalamazoo city commissioners are moving to enact a moratorium on high-tech data centers, cryptocurrency mining, and battery energy storage systems. The city attorney has been asked to draft the necessary language for a proposal. The moratorium could last for several months or be extended past a year, pending new zoning requirements.
Kalamazoo, Michigan, is preparing to impose a moratorium on the development of high-tech data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, and battery energy storage systems, following similar actions by nearby Portage and several townships. City commissioners have instructed City Attorney Aaron Leal to draft the specific language for the moratorium, with a proposal anticipated within the week for their next meeting.
Commissioner Chris Praedel was the one to suggest the broad scope of the moratorium. Leal noted that the city must articulate its concerns, outline its plans during the moratorium period, and specify its duration. The attorney indicated that the moratorium could last a few months if new zoning requirements are established quickly, or it could be extended beyond a year if more time is deemed necessary for development of the zoning ordinances. Leal has also recommended sending the question of imposing the moratorium to the planning commission first, which is standard procedure for considering zoning changes.