Corunna City Council approves data center ordinance

The Corunna City Council unanimously approved a new data center ordinance on Monday, August 3rd, after a public hearing. The ordinance, drafted by the city's planning commission, establishes a comprehensive list of requirements for any prospective data center developers in Corunna. City Manager Joe Sawyer confirmed that no developers have approached the city yet, despite the ordinance's approval.

The regulations include the necessity for a special use permit, along with noise and height maximums, setback minimums, and a mandatory environmental study. Corunna City Planner Merilee Lawson highlighted the potential financial benefits of data centers, referencing a proposed $3 billion project near Benton Harbor that could generate significant annual property taxes. Lawson emphasized the importance of proper regulation to harness these benefits, stating, "Data centers can be a gift from heaven if you regulate them properly."

The ordinance specifies a 100-foot maximum building height (with a waiver option up to 165 feet), a 250-foot minimum buffer from property lines, and a 500-foot minimum setback from existing residential dwellings not on the project parcel. It also sets a community noise equivalent level not to exceed 70 dBA. Two residents spoke during the public hearing, raising concerns about cooling systems and electrical usage, but generally expressed support for the ordinance, provided due diligence is maintained.