Liberty Township weighs giving trustees final say on data centers
Liberty Township is considering a zoning change that would grant its trustees final approval power over data center projects. Residents are actively opposing data center development, citing concerns about energy, water, and noise, and are proposing a constitutional amendment to ban large-scale data centers.
The Liberty Township Zoning Commission is slated to review a proposed zoning change that would empower township trustees to approve or reject data center projects on a case-by-case basis. Todd Miner, president of the Liberty Township Community Association, identified energy use, water use, and noise as the primary concerns regarding data centers, particularly when located near residential areas. He emphasized the need for businesses to be compatible with the township's character.
The proposed change comes as nearby cities like Trenton are grappling with data center projects. Barry, a Liberty Township resident leading opposition efforts, suggests that Liberty Township should emulate Trenton's approach by pausing and examining what other communities are doing, including implementing moratoriums or changing zoning. Residents, including some from Hamilton, are also advocating for a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit large-scale data centers. Barry Steele highlighted the aquifer as her biggest concern, noting its critical role for several communities. Prologis, the company behind a specific data center development, stated that their project would generate $120,000 annually in taxes and operate with a water-efficient system requiring no chemicals. A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for July 7th.