Cascade Township imposes six-month moratorium on data centers and crypto-mining facilities

Cascade Charter Township’s Board of Trustees voted to impose a temporary six-month moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities, adopting Resolution 024-2026 after a staff presentation tracing the policy background.

The supervisor explained the moratorium builds on two prior steps: a police-power ordinance enacted earlier and a zoning ordinance amendment adopted in April to address data centers and similar emerging land uses. The resolution was described as the final administrative step to pause permitting for six months while staff and the planning commission complete rulemaking and subcommittee work.

Board members asked whether the moratorium would change the status of the advisory subcommittee on data centers; staff said it would not and that the committee’s work continues. Trustees emphasized the moratorium is temporary and does not permanently prohibit zoning changes; it provides time to ensure regulations and implementation steps are complete.

Trustee Shipley moved and Treasurer Coron supported adoption of Resolution 024-2026. Clerk Slater called the roll and the motion carried.

The board and several commenters also discussed the broader zoning process earlier in the meeting, including public concerns about setbacks and the public outreach process. Staff and multiple trustees noted the zoning ordinance amendment had followed a public process and that site-plan review remains required for any project even where zoning permits a use on paper.

The moratorium will be in effect for six months from the effective date and gives the township formal authority to pause new permit applications for the specified uses while staff finalizes implementing language and procedures.