Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission recommends approval of MetroBlox data center after applicant addresses screening and water questions
Summary
Planning staff recommended and the commission voted a favorable recommendation for a 217,000‑sq‑ft MetroBlox data center (PSP25‑0009). Applicant described a closed‑loop cooling system that minimizes water use and committed to improved substation screening; a resident urged the commission to scrutinize water and energy use.
The Planning Commission recommended Nov. 19 that city council approve a proposed multi‑tenant data center (PSP25‑0009) on Inkster Road, following presentations from MetroBlox and planning staff and public comment.
Engineering design manager Hope Martin of MetroBlox described a roughly 217,000‑square‑foot building with a closed‑loop cooling system that, she said, uses only periodic top‑offs and minimal water compared with large evaporative‑cooled facilities. Martin said the project will not use groundwater wells, will connect to the city water distribution system, and that required electrical upgrades and the project’s substation equipment will be paid for by the developer. She also described acoustical screening and landscape measures for generator and substation equipment.
A resident commenter asked the commission to scrutinize overall water and energy demand for data centers in the Great Lakes region; the applicant and staff responded that this proposal is much smaller than the rural “mega‑site” projects in recent news, uses a closed‑loop system with low ongoing water demand and is designed to tie to the city’s distribution system rather than wells.
Commissioners asked for added elevation views and improved screening details for the substation and required that the applicant refine the architectural treatments for the screening walls before the item goes to council. Staff recommended a favorable recommendation with a condition requiring improved substation screening and continuing coordination with the planning department and city engineer. The commission approved the recommendation and will forward the matter to city council for final action.
