Kalamazoo city commissioners directed staff to research a possible moratorium on new data centers Monday, following months of similar debate in surrounding townships.
The discussion, raised as New Business at the July 20 City Commission business meeting, did not result in a moratorium being adopted. Instead, City Attorney Aaron Leal will give a presentation at a future Committee of the Whole meeting explaining how moratoriums legally function, including limits on their duration, before commissioners decide whether to move forward.
Where the idea came from
Vice Mayor Drew Duncan brought the proposal forward, pointing to rising electricity costs and environmental strain reported in communities near large data center developments elsewhere in the country. Duncan cited Michigan’s freshwater resources as a reason for caution, saying the state has a responsibility to protect its lakes, streams, and rivers. He floated the idea of a two-year moratorium, though no specific duration was formally proposed or voted on.
Multiple residents raised data centers during public comment earlier in the meeting, citing concerns about electricity rate increases, water use for cooling systems, and noise pollution.
Scope still undefined
Commissioner Chris Praedel asked whether any moratorium should extend beyond data centers to also cover cryptocurrency mining operations and battery storage sites, noting that some other jurisdictions have grouped these together. He also pointed out that several nearby municipalities, Texas Township, Kalamazoo Township, the City of Portage, Oshtemo Township, and Pavilion Township, have taken up or passed similar measures in recent months.
Praedel also noted that Kalamazoo is more densely built and has less developable land remaining than many surrounding townships, which he said makes it especially important to be thoughtful about how remaining land, including land that may be needed for future housing, gets used.
Commissioner Jae Slaby connected the timing to the city’s ongoing master plan update, saying a moratorium would allow the city to study the impact of a data center before that plan is finalized. She also raised the idea of reclassifying data centers under the city’s zoning code from a permitted use to a special use in the industrial district, arguing the potential community impact warrants more case-by-case review. That change was raised as a discussion point, not adopted.
What happens next
Leal said a moratorium functions as a temporary pause on new applications while a city studies an issue and develops permanent regulations, and noted the city previously used one during the rollout of its marijuana licensing framework. City Manager Malcolm Hankins said the moratorium period, if adopted, would give staff time to answer commissioners’ outstanding questions before any long-term zoning decision is made.
No motion was made or vote taken on the moratorium itself. The next step is Leal’s presentation at a future Committee of the Whole meeting.
