Lowell Twp. planning commission holding meeting on data center ordinance
Lowell Township's planning commission is meeting to discuss revisions to a data center ordinance, following recommendations from an advisory committee. This comes amidst strong resident opposition to a proposed Microsoft data center, with concerns about noise, water impact, and utility costs. Opponents have launched a recall campaign against three township trustees.
Lowell Township officials are scheduled to hold a meeting at Lowell Middle School to review potential revisions to the local data center ordinance. These revisions stem from recommendations made by a data center advisory committee last month, which aimed to differentiate between smaller and hyperscale data centers and address necessary changes to facilitate future projects.
The meeting comes in response to significant community opposition to a proposed Microsoft data center, slated for construction off I-96 at the Alden Nash exit. Residents have voiced numerous concerns, primarily focusing on potential noise pollution, the project's impact on local water resources, and the anticipated cost of utilities.
In a clear escalation of the opposition, residents unhappy with the township's handling of the data center proposal initiated a recall campaign against three township trustees last month. If sufficient valid signatures are collected, the recall measures could be placed on the November ballot.