Solon Twp. board recommends extending data center moratorium for another six months

The Solon Township Planning Commission in Kent County, Michigan, has unanimously voted to recommend a six-month extension of the existing moratorium on data center developments. This decision was made during a public hearing, in response to significant community opposition to a potential data center site near Cedar Springs.

Residents and members of the "Stop Solon Township Data Center" group attended the meeting, expressing concerns about potential impacts such as light pollution and overall negative effects on the community. Rebecca Smallwood, a representative of the opposition, highlighted the group's efforts, including a petition, to advocate for the moratorium's extension.

While the planning commission continues to work on drafting new data center ordinances, aiming to create regulations that are legally sound and inclusive without risking lawsuits against the township, no official data center proposal has yet been submitted for the eyed site. The recommendation will now go before the full township board for a final decision.