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Commissioners discuss opposing state preemption of local control over data centers and battery storage
Summary
The Board reviewed draft language opposing legislation that would preempt local zoning for data centers and battery storage; commissioners favored local control and directed the Prosecutor to re-write the draft before possibly sending it to townships.
Houghton County commissioners discussed a proposed resolution opposing any state legislation that would preempt local control over the construction of data centers and battery storage facilities.
Commissioner Gretchen Janssen said she wanted the item on a future agenda and emphasized local control. Public commenter Joan Chaudde described a large, noisy data center in the eastern Upper Peninsula she said was sited roughly on 200 acres adjacent to a school, and she urged county control. Chairman Tom Tikkanen and other commissioners agreed the matter warranted review by the County Prosecutor and suggested awaiting a rewritten draft before forwarding the resolution to townships.
Commissioner Joel Keranen supported giving the draft to the Prosecutor for legal review. The Board did not adopt the resolution at the work session; members requested a revised draft and indicated they may coordinate with townships after legal review.
