East Lansing Plans ‘Data Week’ Ahead of Proposed Data Center Regulations
East Lansing plans a Data Week in October to discuss data centers, artificial intelligence and data science before city staff presents proposed data center regulations to the City Council. The city has also extended its data center moratorium through March 2027 while officials develop rules addressing zoning, environmental impacts, water use and public review.
East Lansing will host a series of data center, artificial intelligence and data science events Oct. 19-23, including discussions at Michigan State University, the city’s Commission on the Environment and a prospective community meeting. Principal Planner Landon Bartley said staff hope to introduce draft data center ordinance language to the City Council in November.
A city workgroup has recommended policies including special-use permits and public hearings for data centers, green-building standards, closed-loop cooling systems and a review of whether existing industrial zones are suitable for such facilities. East Lansing currently has only about eight parcels in two industrial zones where a data center might be built, meaning rezoning could be required for a project.
The City Council extended the city’s six-month data center moratorium by another six months in August, allowing staff more time to consult experts and refine recommendations. The moratorium is scheduled to expire in March 2027.