Augusta Township data center battle reaches the ballot next month: ‘Stay off social media,’ resident tells officials

Augusta Township, Michigan, is at the center of a contentious debate over a proposed $1-billion hyperscale data center. Residents are scheduled to vote on August 4 on a ballot measure to reverse the rezoning approval for the project, which would change 522 acres from agricultural residential to general industrial.

Simultaneously, a recall effort targets all members of the Augusta Township board who unanimously approved the rezoning in July 2025, despite an earlier recommendation from the planning commission to deny it. Residents have expressed concerns about the data center's potential impact on utility rates and reliability, as well as noise and air pollution. The Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Carol Kuhnke recently denied appeals by board members seeking to block the recall petitions.

In addition to the rezoning vote and recall effort, the township board discussed a measure on June 23 that would empower the planning commission to recommend temporary moratoriums. The board approved the first reading of an ordinance to allow for such moratoriums, after debating the appropriate duration. This ordinance, if finally adopted, would create a mechanism for future development pauses, but does not enact a moratorium itself.

The controversy is further fueled by unprofessional social media comments from board members, including Supervisor Todd Waller and Trustee Michael Green, who referred to opponents with derogatory terms. Residents have called for a social media policy, citing fears of retaliation for signing recall petitions.