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Residents urge Livingston County to address hyperscale data center proposals; Ingham County correspondence placed on file
Summary
Multiple residents pressed commissioners to protect rural character and require impact studies as hyperscale data centers are proposed nearby; the board placed Ingham Countys resolution on data-center transparency on file and committed to follow-up with planning staff.
Residents from Howell, Kahakta and Osceola townships used both public-comment periods at the Jan. 5 Livingston County Board of Commissioners meeting to press the county to take steps to address hyperscale data center proposals.
Charles Smith, who lives about 2,200 feet from a proposed site on Fleming Road, described concerns about prolonged, phased construction and noise, telling commissioners: "I will fight this till the day I die." Todd Kosakovich of Kahakta Township urged the board to protect the county's rural character and to consider community opposition when the county adopts the master plan. Lauren Prebenda, lead organizer with Livingston County Residents for Responsible Development, asked the board, as the county's legislative and policy-setting body, to "ensure at the county level that the health and welfare of residents are protected from the negative impacts of hyperscale data center development" and to provide technical guidance and required impact-study standards for townships.
Earlier on the agenda, the board placed on file a resolution from neighboring Ingham County (Resolution 25-592) "urging transparency and a comprehensive regulatory framework in local data center development," after a motion by Commissioner Sample and support from Commissioner Deaton; that item was placed on file by a 9–0 voice vote. Commissioners and staff repeatedly noted that the county's land-use authority is limited compared with townships but said the board would play an active role where it can and that staff and the planning director would follow up with residents who raise questions.
No developer representatives addressed the board during the meeting. Several residents and commissioners asked for clearer county-level guidance, impact-study requirements, and coordination with townships to mitigate noise, water and infrastructure concerns as proposals emerge.
