Kalamazoo city commission enacts one-year moratorium for data centers
The Kalamazoo City Commission approved a one-year moratorium on data centers, battery energy storage systems and similar facilities. The city will use the pause to develop customized zoning rules, with a working group of utility, industry, environmental and community representatives expected to support the process.
The Kalamazoo City Commission gave final approval to a one-year moratorium on data centers, battery energy storage systems and other large digital facilities following a public hearing. The moratorium is intended to pause development while the city rewrites its zoning ordinances to address local concerns, including Kalamazoo's limited supply of large undeveloped sites.
City Attorney Aaron Leal said Kalamazoo cannot simply adopt regulations written for another community, while Assistant City Planner Bobby Durkee said officials plan to provide regular updates on the work. A working group with utility, industry, environmental and community representatives will assist with the process, which must be completed by Oct. 5, 2027.