The Oshtemo Township Board discussed the timeline for its pending battery storage and data center ordinances and adopted a first reading on a new solar moratorium.
The board provided an update on the progress of its energy ordinance, which will regulate battery energy storage systems (BESS), and a related environmental ordinance under development. Supervisor Cheri Bell said a draft of the energy ordinance text is expected to go before the Planning Commission at its August 13 meeting, with supporting appendices to follow at a later date. Bell indicated the board anticipates recommending an extension of the township’s existing moratorium on BESS applications when it returns in November, citing the time needed for the Planning Commission and board to complete required public hearings and review. Trustee Michael Chapman, who serves on the Planning Commission, added that the commission expects to begin its review of the draft in mid-August.
Bell also said written public comments related to the energy ordinance and the environmental ordinance will now be organized separately, with each set of comments included in the planning packet corresponding to the relevant ordinance.
During public comment, several residents addressed the board on topics related to the ordinances under development, including third-party expert review processes, groundwater and watershed protection, fire safety standards, and public health considerations. The full public comment period is available for review by watching the meeting recording.
Separately, the board adopted a first reading of a proposed six-month moratorium on new applications for principal-use solar energy systems — meaning large-scale solar developments, not residential or small-scale commercial solar installations. According to Township Attorney Porter, the moratorium is intended to give the township time to develop standards for solar development alongside its ongoing environmental and energy ordinance work. A second reading is scheduled for the board’s August 11 meeting.
Both ordinance processes remain open for public comment. Residents interested in the energy, environmental, or solar ordinances can submit written comments to be included in upcoming planning packets, or attend the Planning Commission’s August 13 meeting.
