Saline City Council Enacts One-Year Moratorium on Data Centers

The Saline City Council voted unanimously on Monday to approve a one-year moratorium on any new data center developments within city limits, temporarily halting approvals while officials study how such facilities should be regulated.

The moratorium, approved at the council’s Jan. 12 meeting, is intended to give city staff, the Planning Commission, and elected officials time to evaluate zoning standards, infrastructure demands, and potential environmental impacts associated with large scale data centers. 

City officials said data centers are not currently addressed in Saline’s zoning ordinance, creating uncertainty about where and how such facilities could be built. The moratorium directs city staff to research how other municipalities regulate data centers and to bring forward possible ordinance amendments for council consideration.

Council members cited concerns frequently raised by residents in other Michigan communities where data centers have been proposed, such as the new "Stargate" facility being constructed in Saline Township. These concerns include high electricity and water usage, noise from cooling systems, land-use compatibility, and long-term impacts on local infrastructure. Several speakers at recent meetings urged the city to act proactively rather than respond to a proposal after the fact.

"This would allow us some time to look into it and figure out what would be best if approached with this type of use within the city," stated community development director Chris Atkin. Mr. Atkin also assured the members of council that while this moratorium had not been reviewed by the city attorney, it is legally enforceable against any possible lawsuit brought by a potential data company. 

While the city currently does not have large enough land parcels available for such a use, Mayor Marl pointed out that several companies had previously been interested in buying land adjacent to Saline, with a request for annexation and use of the city's electric and water facilities.

The vote comes amid a broader regional and statewide conversation about data center growth, driven in part by increasing demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Several Michigan municipalities have adopted similar temporary moratoriums while reviewing zoning and utility considerations, including Pittsfield township and the city of Northville.

The moratorium does not affect existing uses or previously approved projects, city officials said, but it prevents new data center proposals from moving forward during the review period.

City staff are expected to begin work with the Planning Commission in the coming months, with public meetings anticipated as draft regulations are developed. Any permanent zoning changes would require additional public hearings and final approval by the council.

The pause applies to new applications and approvals and will remain in effect for up to 12 months unless lifted earlier by council action.

Saline has seen increased resident engagement in recent months on development and infrastructure issues, including updates with the water treatment facility, sewers, and Recreation Center.

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