Data centers haven’t been proposed in Leelanau County yet, but one township hopes to take steps to pause their construction going forward.
The Leelanau Township board discussed two ordinances that would enact temporary moratoriums for data centers, a facility that houses hundreds of computer systems and IT infrastructure for storing and sharing applications and data, at its regular meeting on Sept. 8. While no action was taken to adopt these ordinances at the meeting, the board hopes to consider and return to the issue at its October meeting to review them once again.
Barb Conley, Leelanau Township supervisor, said during discussion that the township is not prepared for data centers with any of the ordinances they currently have in place, and the moratorium would allow them adequate time for preparation. The moratoriums, which aim to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, would only allow a pause for a brief period of time, Conley explained, and would not forbid data centers indefinitely.
