Wixom City Council takes steps to regulate data centers in the city
The Wixom City Council is taking steps to regulate data centers in the city, with a six-month moratorium nearing its end. Residents express concerns about noise and fuel storage from a proposed 55-acre, three-building complex by Wixom Industrial One and SansOne. The developer has filed a lawsuit seeking court intervention to push the project forward.
The debate over data centers in Metro Detroit has entered a new phase in Wixom, Michigan, where the City Council has taken initial steps to create an ordinance specifically regulating data centers. This action follows the City of Wixom's temporary six-month moratorium on data center development, which is set to expire soon.
The proposed project, a 55-acre, three-building complex by Wixom Industrial One in partnership with SansOne, is planned along I-96, near Wixom Road and Pontiac Trail. Residents at recent City Council meetings have expressed significant concerns regarding the potential impacts of the data center, particularly focusing on noise from cooling systems and the risks associated with fuel storage.
While many residents are encouraged by the council's efforts to establish guidelines, the developer, Wixom Industrial One, has filed a lawsuit on August 7th. The company is seeking court intervention to advance its proposal, claiming it has spent tens of thousands of dollars and is currently stalled due to the moratorium. The City Council plans to continue discussing further regulations for data centers.