Dexter Twp: Notice of Adoption of Resolution No. 26-710

DEXTER TOWNSHIP WASHTENAW COUNTY

RESOLUTION #26-710

TO IMPOSE A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS, LICENSES, OR APPROVALS FOR POWER GENERATION FACILITIES

At a regular meeting of the Township Board for the Township of Dexter, Washtenaw County, Michigan, held at the Dexter Township Hall, 6880 Dexter-Pinckney Road, Dexter, MI 48130, on July 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

PRESENT: Scott, Metz, Nolte, Sikkenga, Abbott, Sanders

ABSENT: Stamboulellis

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Treasurer Metz and seconded by Trustee Sanders.

WHEREAS, the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, 2006 P.A. 110, being MCL 125.3101 et seq., authorizes Dexter Township (the “Township”) to adopt reasonable regulations to control the establishment and use of Power Generation Facilities (power plants) in the Township; and

WHEREAS, “Power Generation Facilities,” for purposes of this moratorium, means a facility or infrastructure designed or used for the primary purpose of generating electricity for commercial sale or offsite distribution from fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, petroleum); nuclear fission; or geothermal resources; but excluding solar and wind energy systems; battery energy storage systems; biofuel-based generation; and accessory, on-site, or emergency power generators; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of Power Generation Facilities, particularly in more rural areas, is becoming a more common and emerging land use that may have substantial and adverse

impacts on adjacent and nearby prope1iies and the Township’s infrastructure, natural resources, and character, and are not currently addressed by the Township’s existing zoning regulations; and  

WHEREAS, the Township finds that it is necessary and reasonable to establish a moratorium upon the issuance of any and all permits, licenses, and approvals for any property subject to or under the jurisdiction of the Township’s Zoning Ordinance for the establishment and use of Power Generation Facilities for 180 days or until the Township adopts new regulations concerning Power Generation Facilities and such regulations take effect, whichever occurs first; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 31.15 of the Zoning Ordinance the Township Board may impose temporary moratoria by resolution on the review or issuance of any and all applications or permits in the Township if the Township Board finds that a land use poses a direct threat to the public health, safety, and welfare; to prevent serious public harm due to the application of the existing Master Plan, use and development standards of the Zoning Ordinance, and other applicable laws, is not adequate to prevent serious public harm; or to allow the Township the adequate time to develop and adopt necessary standards to address use or structure that is not adequately addressed in the Zoning Ordinance; and

WHEREAS, the Township finds that Power Generation Facilities may present a direct threat to the public health, safety, welfare due to air, water, and noise pollution, and impacts on nearby property values; and that the Township desires to review, enact, or amend provisions of the master plan and/or the Township Zoning Ordinance to determine whether regulations are necessary for the use and development of Power Generation Facilities in the Township.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Township Board of Dexter Township resolves as follows:

• The Township Board hereby petitions the Township Planning Commission to consider regulations regarding Power Generation Facilities, including without limitation where such uses may be permissible and appropriate, regulations to mitigate adverse impacts on adjacent properties and uses, and thereafter make recommendations to the Township Board regarding any such proposed amendments in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, Public Act 110 of 2006, as amended
• For purposes of this Resolution, a “Power Generation Facility” means a facility or infrastructure designed or used for the primary purpose of generating electricity for commercial sale or off-site distribution, including generation from fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, petroleum); nuclear fission; or geothermal resources; but excluding solar and wind energy systems; battery energy storage systems; biofuel-based generation; and accessory, on-site, or emergency power generators.
• In accordance with Section 31.15 of the Zoning Ordinance, the Township Board finds that adopting such a moratorium is in the best interest of the public health, safety, and welfare and that the Township desires to review, enact, or amend provisions of the master plan and/or the Township Zoning Ordinance in order to determine whether regulations are necessary for the use and development of Power Generation Facilities in the Township.
• Imposing a moratorium, on a limited temporary basis, is reasonable and necessary to allow time for review of and potential amendments to the Township’s Zoning Ordinance and/or Master Plan.
• A moratorium is hereby imposed on the review or issuance of any and all applications, pe1mits, rezonings, licenses, or approvals in the Township for Power Generation Facilities, so long as this Resolution is in effect.
• The moratorium imposed by this Resolution shall remain in effect for 180 days following the effective date of this Resolution, or until Power Generation Facilities regulatory amendments to the Township’s Zoning Ordinance become effective, whichever occurs first. Before this moratorium expires, the Township Board may by resolution extend the moratorium for up to 180 days. If an extension is adopted, the Township will publish notice of the extension.
• Any resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this Resolution are hereby repealed only to the extent necessary to give this Resolution full force and effect.
• A notice of resolution shall be published within 14 days of its adoption in accordance with Section 31.15 of the Zoning Ordinance and shall become effective immediately following publication.

A vote on the above Resolution was taken and was as follows: ADOPTED:

YEAS: Scott, Metz, Abbott, Nolte, Sanders, Sikkenga

NAYS: None

STATE OF MICHIGAN                    )

COUNTY OF WASHTENAW          )

I, Lonnie Scott, the undersigned, the duly qualified and acting Township Clerk of Dexter Township, Michigan, CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of certain proceedings taken by the Township Board of said Township at a regular meeting held on the 21 day of July 2026.                                                                                   

Lonnie Scott, Supervisor/Acting Clerk