Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Data Centers Ban topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sparta planner: ban on large data centers consistent with master plan; board concurs
Summary
Planner recommended that Ordinance 26-11, which would prohibit large, high-energy data centers across Sparta’s zones, is consistent with the master plan; after public comment the planning board voted to deem the ordinance consistent.
The Sparta Township Planning Board on June 23 heard a consistency review for Ordinance 26-11, which would amend Township Code section 18-4.5H to prohibit data centers in all zones.
Planner Lindsay told the board the master plan and reexamination reports emphasize preserving the township’s rural residential character, protecting natural resources and managing growth; she concluded in her professional opinion that Ordinance 26-11 advances those objectives and is consistent with the master plan.
During public comment, Sparta resident Mike Devine urged caution, saying the proposal "could prohibit almost anything in town" and warning the board not to prematurely foreclose potential economic opportunities from smaller or self-contained data facilities. "I just hope we're not missing an opportunity," Devine said.
Lindsay responded that the ordinance targets large, high-energy facilities — 'tier one' data centers with substantial power, cooling and backup-generation needs — and is not intended to restrict smaller server rooms or co-location uses.
After brief board discussion, a motion to approve the planner's consistency review passed and the board deemed Ordinance 26-11 consistent with the master plan. That advisory recommendation will be included in the record transmitted to the mayor and council for their consideration.
