UPDATE: An urgent zoning meeting in Washington Township drew a packed crowd of residents who voiced fierce opposition to a proposed data center development on 312 acres of land. The meeting took place on Thursday night at the township hall, where community members expressed their concerns about the potential transformation of the area from agricultural residential to industrial research technology.
The California-based real estate company Prologis is behind the “32 Mile Technical Campus” project, which aims to establish a large-scale data center and technical campus. Located south of 32 Mile Road and east of M-53, the project is being pushed forward under the promise of Michigan’s attractive tax incentives and the booming demand for artificial intelligence technologies.
Residents packed the standing-room-only meeting, raising alarm over environmental issues and the project’s energy demands. “This is going to be a huge energy drain. So my concern is how are they going to manage that?” asked resident James Eridon during the heated discussions.
Community member Jacob Newby questioned the plans for water usage, asking, “I’m curious about if they’re planning to use the well water to cool the systems down or whether they’re planning to use village water.” Many residents fear that the project could lead to unforeseen consequences for local resources.
Another resident, Terry Templin, who lives near the proposed site, acknowledged the need for technological advancement but voiced his concerns over the potential disruption to his community. “If it affects lives, people are going to be upset about that and I’m close enough to where it’s going to affect me,” he stated.
While the township has attempted to address some of these worries, asserting that the project would not draw from groundwater and is not expected to raise water or sewer rates, skepticism remains among residents. “There’s no stopping this growth,” Templin lamented, reflecting the frustration felt by many in attendance.
The Washington Township Zoning Board did not reach a decision during the meeting, opting to table discussions until their next gathering in early January. The lack of a recommendation has left residents anxious about the future of their community and the implications of such a significant development.
As this story continues to unfold, local residents remain alert to the potential changes on the horizon. The community’s strong opposition highlights the ongoing tension between technological progress and environmental sustainability, making this a crucial issue to monitor in the weeks ahead.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.
