KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – It has been one of the least controversial issues the Kalamazoo city commission has had to deal with this year, but one of the most emotional.
Opinions have been nearly unanimous that the city needs to brace itself, and thoroughly prepare for the day someone wants to build a data center, or any other potentially worrisome high-tech facility in town.
They have scheduled a final public hearing and a vote this evening.
Kalamazoo city commissioners are set to finalize a one year moratorium, to buy time to redraft zoning codes to make sure if a data center or large battery energy storage system is proposed, that it won’t become a problem for its neighbors or the community.
Assistant City Planner Bobby Durkee says that one year clock begins with tonight’s approval.
“The goal of the moratorium is to develop those zoning standards and appropriate land uses, and to study for a transparent public process. For staff in the community to research the topic, understand the topic and draft regulations because you cannot outright ban a use.”
He says as recommended by the planning commission, staff will set up a working group to assist in the research.
“You know I look at things like public utilities, private utilities, residents, neighborhoods, the industry itself.”
Several commissioners implored him not to make it top-heavy with industry and utility experts and to make sure it represents community and environmental interests too.
Commissioner Chris Praedel says it’s “so critically important that there are people sitting in those seats that are just everyday people, you know, that care a lot about this issue.”
While communities have some flexibility in how it sets up its own zoning regulations, it’s still a process that is guided by state laws and technical requirements and must be detailed and specific if a community wants to avoid legal challenges, or leave gaps or loopholes.
Data centers have become a major state and national issue this election year with national polls showing 65 to 70% of the public opposed to having a data center in their community and only 20% supporting.
The numbers are even higher for Democratic and younger voters.
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