Data center site plan denied in Allen Park after voting was postponed three times
The Allen Park Planning Commission denied a proposed site plan for a 26-megawatt data center after residents expressed strong opposition. This decision followed three postponements of the vote, with residents citing environmental and public health concerns. The developer has the option to appeal the decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Allen Park Planning Commission voted to deny a proposed site plan for a 26-megawatt data center on Enterprise Drive, located just south of I-94. This decision was met with applause from residents who have been actively opposing the project for months, with concerns focused on potential environmental and public health impacts.
Reporter Darren Cunningham of 7 News Detroit covered the packed meeting where long-simmering tensions boiled over. The vote to deny came after the commission had postponed its decision three separate times, requesting further civil engineering, water usage, and sound studies from the developer.
David Gibson, Senior Vice President for the developer Solstice Data, addressed the Planning Commission, hoping to submit necessary information by August 6. However, residents felt the developer had ample time. Following the denial, Solstice Data's representative declined to comment to 7 News Detroit and was escorted out by police. The developer retains the option to appeal the decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals.