Lowell residents continue to voice opposition to proposed Microsoft data center
Lowell Township residents continue to voice opposition to a proposed Microsoft data center project. The Lowell Charter Township planning commission is actively crafting a data center ordinance that would establish rules for project size, water, and energy use, with some hoping it will deter Microsoft from proceeding.
Residents of Lowell Township gathered at Lowell Middle School to maintain their opposition to a proposed Microsoft data center. More than 100 individuals attended the meeting where the Lowell Charter Township planning commission deliberated on a new data center ordinance.
The advisory committee, led by planning commission member Mark Batchelor, is formulating recommendations for the ordinance. These proposed regulations would cover aspects such as the size of data centers and their consumption of water and energy. Despite a contentious start, the commission aimed for respectful dialogue with the public.
Several commission members conveyed their hope that the stringent ordinance could persuade Microsoft to reconsider the data center's location within Lowell Township. Batchelor confirmed that the ordinance would be presented to the entire planning commission, followed by public hearings to ensure comprehensive community input. The next advisory committee meeting is slated for Tuesday night.