“Cut ‘em off at the pass.” — An often used phrase in old western movies.
The Leighton Township Board indeed is cutting off at the pass any controversy involving data centers. The board Thursday night unanimously agreed to adopt an ordinance establishing a 12-month moratorium on the issue after examining what has happened to nearby municipalities.
Supervisor Steve Wolbrink said, “We’ve been watching our neighbors (Dorr and Gaines townships) and we’ve been advised to implement a moratorium.”
Clerk Rachel Fennema said, “We need to pass this now to give our Planning Commission time to work on it. After a year, we should have our ducks in a row.”
Trustee John Hooker said, “(Township Planner) Andy (Moore) said that we could have something in place by this fall.”
The controversy surrounding the Microsoft Corporation’s proposed data centers has been close to home over the last several months, culminating in Dorr deciding on a one-year moratorium in the face of fierce opposition of the public.
Many residents have shown up at public meetings to tell board members not to give in to Microsoft’s plans to establish such centers because they use a huge amount of water and threaten the environment.
Making things difficult for Dorr is that Microsoft purchased two parcels that are zoned precisely for the use the company seeks. So if it was denied at this time, the corporation could take Dorr to court, where it is more than likely Dorr Township would lose have have to pay the courts.
No data center proposals have been made as yet to Leighton, but if there are in the future, the idea is to make the local municipality ready.
