Southfield council approves MetroBLOX data‑center site plan after hours of testimony

The Southfield City Council on Dec. 15 approved a site plan by MetroBLOX LLC to build a 100‑megawatt data center on roughly 12 acres of a larger vacant parcel east of Inkster and north of 11 Mile, after an extended public hearing and technical presentation.

Mayor Seiber and planning staff said MetroBLOX’s design uses closed‑loop chip cooling and that utility upgrades required to serve the facility would be paid by the developer rather than by ratepayers. MetroBLOX representative Jeffrey Mandel told council, “We are paying for the upgrades... We’re not asking the rate payers to subsidize us.” The company said the facility would operate primarily on utility power and run backup diesel generators only during rare tests or outages.

The vote followed a night of intense public comment. More than 40 residents and stakeholders—neighbors, environmental advocates and engineers—questioned the project’s local impacts on the power grid, water resources, noise, air quality and property values. “Our future as a state, as a planet, is resting on the shoulders of those who want to shirk their responsibilities,” said Michael Leonard, a resident who urged the council to oppose the plan.

MetroBLOX stressed that its closed‑loop cooling system recirculates water and that routine daily water consumption would be minimal. The developer acknowledged that closed‑loop cooling uses more electricity than some open‑loop systems but argued the tradeoff reduces water use and aligns with its sustainability goals. The company also said the chemicals used in the cooling loop are glycols and, in their engineering description, are contained within pipe systems.

Planner Crow summarized independent and regulatory safeguards: the project is subject to Southfield’s site‑plan conditions, noise and decibel limits at property lines, wetlands and woodlands ordinances and state oversight where applicable. He noted that the council had required a community‑scale impact review because of the project’s size and potential regional effects.

Councilwoman Banks moved approval of site plan PSP25‑0009, supported by Councilman Brightwell. The motion carried with two recorded no votes—Councilwoman Bland and Council President Hicks—and a majority in favor. Council members and staff said they would place monitoring and enforcement conditions on the approval, including noise and stormwater performance guarantees and continued coordination with DTE on utility upgrades.

The council did not adopt a binding community benefit agreement tonight; multiple speakers asked the council to seek enforceable obligations (for example, on emissions monitoring, community outreach or workforce commitments) before final construction permits. City staff said they will forward specific resident questions to relevant departments and continue conversations with the petitioner and DTE. The developer said it will continue design work and secure tenant and financing commitments before final construction funding is completed.

Next steps: MetroBLOX will proceed with engineering and permitting related to the approved site plan. City departments and state agencies retain inspection and enforcement authority for noise, stormwater, chemical handling and other regulated impacts.