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Norway council asks planning commission to review ‘mega’ data centers amid infrastructure concerns
Summary
Council members asked the planning commission to review whether the city should regulate large-scale data centers, citing potential water and electricity impacts and noting guidance expected from the Michigan Municipal League; council did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting.
The Norway City Council on the meeting day discussed whether to ask the planning commission to study and recommend zoning or ordinance options for large-scale "mega" data centers.
Council Member Dan raised the issue, saying he did not expect such facilities in Norway but wanted the city to avoid being blindsided if one materializes. He flagged concerns including high electric and water consumption and the effect on local wells and septic systems. "I don't necessarily want us to get blindsided by if something comes down the road," Dan said.
The discussion centered on whether to refer the issue for planning review or place a temporary moratorium while municipalities elsewhere gather information. Ricky noted municipalities in Michigan have used moratoria while they await guidance from the Michigan Municipal League (MML). A council member also noted WPPI told the council that the utility currently lacks the capacity to support a mega data center in the near term.
Council Member (speaker 3) proposed a motion "to instruct the planning commission to review the topic of data centers and provide the council with a recommendation and ordinance language if appropriate." Council members agreed to raise the topic with the planning commission and to consider incorporating it into an upcoming master plan process rather than drafting immediate local regulation.
The council did not adopt a local ordinance and there was no recorded roll-call vote on zoning at the meeting; the matter was referred to planning staff and the planning commission for further study. The council and staff said they will watch guidance from the MML and other nearby communities before deciding whether to pursue a moratorium or ordinance.
The planning commission is expected to evaluate infrastructure demands, appropriate zoning or thresholds that would trigger permitting, and whether a moratorium or specific ordinance is warranted; the council asked staff to update members after that review.
