Delhi Township, Michigan – In a decisive 6‑0 vote on Friday, the Delhi Township Board of Trustees formally rejected a proposed data‑center campus that developers had only just begun presenting to the public. The board cited “overwhelming community opposition” and invoked the township’s existing 12‑month moratorium on data‑center projects, which runs through April.
Board and community concerns
Township Supervisor Eddie Montemayor led the resolution, urging Colorado‑based Lighthouse Sustainability to halt its outreach, which he described as harassing residents with phone calls and misleading mailers. Residents packed the meeting, with most speaking against the proposal. Their objections focused on potential noise, visual impacts on a nearby lakeside park, and broader concerns about the environmental footprint of artificial intelligence‑driven computing facilities.
Project details
The developers, working with the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), announced plans for a data‑center campus on 423 acres near Holt, just west of U.S. 127. The facility was projected to deliver up to one gigawatt of computing capacity and carry a price tag exceeding $10 billion. While developers had not yet submitted a formal application or sought a zoning change— the land is currently not zoned industrial— they pledged to seek public input through weekly meetings and a residential advisory committee.
Proponents highlighted the economic upside: roughly $53 million in annual local tax revenue, 100 permanent on‑site jobs, 1,000 temporary construction jobs, and a $20 million community‑benefits agreement. Early design concepts called for a mix of renewable energy, battery storage, and a closed‑loop cooling system to reduce water use, along with rooftop solar panels and home‑based batteries that could cut participating residents’ energy bills by as much as 50%.
Local government response
LEAP declined to comment on the board’s resolution, noting that the agency had already ended its partnership with Delhi Township earlier in the week. The 423‑acre site is owned by a holding company linked to DTN Management, while LEAP holds an option to purchase the property. LEAP President and CEO Bob Trezise said the agency would continue site‑preparation work, keeping the land available for other industrial development even if the data‑center proposal does not move forward.
Broader context
Delhi Township joins a growing list of Michigan communities pushing back against large‑scale data‑center projects. Critics across the state have raised similar concerns about neighborhood impacts, energy consumption, water usage, and strain on local infrastructure. While some residents urged trustees not to dismiss the project before a full review, the unanimous vote reflects a clear preference for preserving the township’s character and protecting local resources.
The decision underscores the importance of local input in shaping development that aligns with community values and the stewardship of natural resources.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
