Howell Township Board Votes to Halt Data Centers for 6 Months

UPDATE: The Howell Township Board of Trustees has just voted *unanimously* to impose a six-month moratorium on the establishment of data centers within the township. This urgent decision comes after a heated meeting attended by hundreds at Howell High School where community members voiced their fierce opposition to a proposed billion-dollar data center set to occupy 1,000 acres of farmland.

Residents from Howell Township and nearby Fowlerville raised serious concerns about the environmental impact, potential increases in utility rates, and declines in property values associated with the massive project. “It’s bad. It’s all bad. And it’s big money trying to buy out little towns,” said local resident Chuck Smith, who lives mere 25 feet from the proposed site. The crowd erupted in applause as he expressed the sentiments of many: “Everybody that spoke tonight was against it. Everybody!”

The board’s decision provides a brief reprieve as it prepares to draft an ordinance that could regulate any future data center developments. “What this moratorium means is it could give the board six months to try to get an ordinance in place,” stated Trustee Bob Wilson in an interview with 7 News Detroit. However, some residents perceive this move as merely delaying the inevitable. “There should have been no reason for them to say, ‘Well, we’re going to put it off again.’ Why? Why?” questioned Smith.

Community member Allen Romain added, “This is a timeout. We’re a bunch of adults here, and we’re being treated like children.” This sentiment resonated throughout the auditorium, where attendees cheered and booed passionately as speakers took the podium.

The board is scheduled to hold a crucial vote on December 8, 2023, to consider rezoning the land from agricultural to industrial use. This decision could pave the way for a data center to move in once the moratorium lapses, a prospect that many residents find alarming.

As the situation develops, Howell Township residents continue to rally against the data center, demanding that their concerns be heard and addressed. The community’s fight against this development is far from over, and all eyes will be on the upcoming vote as the deadline approaches.

Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.