Saline Township Meeting Draws Tense Data Center Debate

The Saline Township Board's April 8 meeting became a tense forum for residents and activists to voice strong opposition to the ongoing construction of the Related Digital data center. Discussion, which included a scheduled "Data Center Update," frequently veered into broader concerns regarding safety, infrastructure, and the township's decision-making processes. Township consulting engineer Dan Cabbage provided an update on construction, noting progress on foundations, roads, and utilities, and reporting no sediment control issues or unexpected groundwater levels. However, public comment highlighted persistent issues, with lighting and traffic being frequently raised. A Walbridge representative assured the board that lighting issues were being addressed, including the replacement of temporary lights with downward-aimed, dark-sky fixtures. Residents criticized township consulting planner Mike Auerbach and attorney Fred Lucas over zoning language, urging the board to replace them, and expressed worries about 24-hour construction, runoff, cybersecurity, and the general risks of large-scale data center development. Some attendees traveled from other parts of Michigan to support local opposition efforts. In response to public objections, the board tabled proposals for master plan update assistance and zoning ordinance consolidation. Furthermore, Trustee Tom Hammond announced that the Saline Township Planning Commission had voted to schedule a public hearing for May 5 to discuss a potential moratorium on data centers. Hammond also noted the commission's recommendation for the board to consider new legal and planning consultants, a move he acknowledged should be part of the ongoing discussion, particularly given "ongoing litigation." The meeting underscored the continuing public scrutiny and demands for greater oversight of the data center project.