FORSYTH TOWNSHIP, MI— The Forsyth Township Board is studying data centers and how they affect their communities, after passing a moratorium on building them in the area.
Interim Township Manager Ray Anderson says the township doesn’t have any zoning regulations dealing with data centers. Exclusionary zoning is prohibited in Michigan, so the township has to put together local regulations to help protect the community and residents and stay compliant with state regulations.
Anderson says the 12-month moratorium will give township officials time to do just that.
“So, we need time in order to study the data center issue, which we are at ground zero. So, we’re getting educated. We’re studying the issue and we’re also trying to gauge the community so that we can make the best planning decisions possible.”
Anderson says the township wants to be transparent and engage the public in the process, which will take place through zoning and planning efforts with the planning commission and zoning boards.
He adds public forums could possibly be held during the process.
