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Allendale Township board adopts temporary moratorium on data centers, battery storage, large-scale solar and wind farms
Summary
On June 8, 2026 the Allendale Charter Township Board of Trustees approved Ordinance 2026-07, a temporary moratorium halting consideration of new applications for data centers, battery storage, large-scale solar farms and wind farms while the township conducts a study of related ordinances and regulations.
Allendale Charter Township Supervisor Adam Elenbaas called the board to order June 8 and the board voted to adopt Ordinance 2026-07, a temporary moratorium on considering applications for data centers, battery storage facilities, large-scale solar farms and wind farms while the township completes a study of ordinances and regulations related to those land uses.
Trustee Smit moved to approve the ordinance, with support from Trustee Vander Wall; the motion passed and the clerk and supervisor were authorized to sign the ordinance. The ordinance language recorded in the meeting states its purpose is “to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by establishing regulations relating to a limited moratorium” while the township reviews its regulatory framework.
The moratorium, as described at the meeting, pauses acceptance or formal consideration of the specified application types while staff and the board study potential updates to local rules and processes. Trustee Vander Wall emphasized during board comments that a moratorium is not an outright prohibition on those uses.
Public comment was recorded from Marcia Hoekstra of Allendale and Gail Roelofs of Allendale; the meeting record lists their participation but does not summarize the content of their remarks. The board also received routine informational items, including the May Fire Department report and a notice that Clerk Jody Hansen earned MiPMC Level 2 certification from the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks.
Votes at a glance - BOT 26-085: Approval of the agenda as amended (removed Resolution 2026-10 from Action Items and moved it to Discussion Items). Motion by Trustee Zeinstra with support from Trustee Smit; passed. - BOT 26-086: Consent resolutions approving the May 26, 2026 minutes and general claims ($647,750.26) plus interim payments ($148,658.77). Motion by Trustee Schuitema with support from Trustee Vander Wall; passed. - BOT 26-088: Adoption of Ordinance 2026-07 (township moratorium ordinance). Motion by Trustee Smit with support from Trustee Vander Wall; passed. Vote tally not specified in the meeting record. - BOT 26-091: Motion to adjourn at 6:48 p.m. Motion by Trustee Schuitema with support from Trustee Zeinstra; passed.
The ordinance text adopted at the meeting includes standard provisions on severability and repeal of conflicting ordinance language and directs staff to proceed with the study. The meeting record does not specify an effective date for the moratorium beyond the ordinance language, and no vote tally by trustee name was recorded in the minutes. The board noted it will continue work on related regulatory updates and also sought direction on a proposed open space park.
