Mason residents decry proposed data center, criticize city manager after heated episode on video

Dozens of residents filled the podium at a Dec. 18 special meeting of the Mason City Council to press the body for more transparency on a proposed large data center, urge a moratorium on accepting applications and demand an apology from the city manager over conduct captured on video.

Residents repeatedly blamed council and staff for secrecy and poor outreach as speakers detailed environmental and community concerns tied to a proposed M‑3 zoning district that, they said, could enable a mega data center on land outside city limits if annexed. "It was appalling. It was unprofessional," said Sharon Paltalki, addressing the city manager’s behavior and urging an apology to former Mayor Pro Tem Leon Clark. Multiple speakers asked the council to direct the FOIA coordinator to release communications between council, the city manager and any data center developers.

Why it matters: Speakers said a data center could change Mason’s rural character, strain water and sewer systems and create continuous low‑frequency noise; several residents cited technical and planning concerns, statutory steps and precedent from neighboring communities. "I read a peer‑reviewed article from the University of Michigan" that raised environmental impacts, Mary Waterhouse said, and Meg Short urged the council to put a moratorium in place — an action other Ingham County communities have taken.

Speakers raised specific concerns about the draft M‑3 standards posted on the city website, including a maximum building height of 70 feet, 150‑foot setbacks and proposed visual screening. "How big do you think a 70‑foot building appears at only 150 feet from the farmhouse?" asked Rebecca Major, describing the proposed mitigations and warning of long‑term land‑use effects. Others cited potential water demand, with one commenter warning that large data centers can use millions of gallons a day and that local well capacity and sewer infrastructure may be insufficient.

Public comments also focused on conduct and process. Several residents criticized the city manager, Deborah Stewart, for what they described as aggressive behavior after a prior meeting and urged her to apologize or resign. They asked the council to include township representatives on any citizen advisory committee and to mail notices to elderly residents who may not follow online postings.

After public comment and council action on routine items, City Manager Deborah Stewart spoke on the record. She said the video circulating online "does not reflect the full conversation or context," described a longstanding professional relationship with former Mayor Pro Tem Leon Clark and apologized for how her body language "can be interpreted in an unflattering light." "After watching, I reached out to former Mayor Pro Tem Clark...and I apologize for my part," Stewart said.

What council did not do: The council did not vote tonight on any moratorium or on adopting M‑3 zoning; several speakers said they expected a moratorium would have been ready for adoption. Instead the meeting focused on two time‑sensitive procedural items and set a process and schedule for filling a vacant council seat.

Next steps: Council approved a vacancy application packet and timeline (see separate votes summary). Council members said applications would be due Jan. 6 at 4 p.m., with a special meeting scheduled Jan. 12 to interview candidates and appoint a member to serve until the next city election, when the fourth‑highest vote getter would assume the remainder of the term. Residents said they plan to continue organizing, pursue FOIA requests and consult legal counsel about next steps.

The meeting adjourned after the city manager’s remarks; no new action on the data center proposal was taken.