College Township council updates zoning to address potential data centers

The College Township Council has updated its zoning ordinance to address potential future AI data centers. While no data centers have been proposed for the area yet, the council has added a definition of "data center" and included it as a conditional use within the township's rural residential zoning district. This move is in response to a state Senate bill that would limit local municipalities' ability to review and add requirements to data center development plans. By including data centers as a conditional use, College Township can maintain a 120-day review period and apply additional conditions to any proposed data center projects. Some concern has been raised about the potential impacts of data centers, such as high energy and water usage, but the council believes these zoning updates will allow them to strategically manage any future data center development in the area. Other municipalities in the region may follow College Township's lead in updating their zoning ordinances to address the growing data center industry.