Portage may have to extend data center moratorium
The City of Portage, Michigan, is considering extending its one-year moratorium on data centers and battery energy storage systems. The delay is necessary because the city needs more time to complete its industrial and commercial rezoning plan before determining suitable locations for these high-tech facilities.
The city of Portage, Michigan, may need to extend its one-year moratorium on data centers and battery energy storage systems, which was enacted in March. City Development Officer Peter Dame informed the city council that the Planning Commission needs additional time to finalize its industrial and commercial rezoning plan for the coming year.
Dame stated that while a model ordinance template for high-tech facilities exists, it requires further development. He emphasized that the city cannot determine appropriate locations for data centers until the overall rezoning plan is complete, a process expected to take at least a couple of months for draft approval. This timeline suggests the city may not have sufficient time to address these issues before the current moratorium expires.