Saline Township Approves Industrial Moratorium as Data Center Work Continues

Saline Township officials approved a one-year industrial development moratorium June 10 as work continues on The Barn data center and the township considers how to handle future large-scale projects.

The moratorium applies to industrial development while the township works on zoning regulations. Officials clarified during the meeting that it does not apply to renewable energy projects.

The current data center project is already moving forward. In a June 6 email to The Sun Times News, Clerk Kelly Marion said the township was working on a moratorium but stated it would not affect the current data center “to [her] knowledge.”

Township engineer Dan Kovach told the board most county and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy permits have been obtained. Permits for the project’s packaged wastewater treatment plant and water treatment plant remain under EGLE review, he said.

Kovach said other parts of the site are also moving ahead, including warehouse operations, substations and utility work. He said two inspectors from the township’s engineering team have been on site daily.

Supervisor Tom Hammond said the township had received reports of additional truck route violations and another lighting issue over the weekend. He said township officials have been checking the site when residents report concerns.

Hammond also said the township has asked for more frequent groundwater data. He said groundwater levels have remained between 820 and 822 feet.

Noise review is also ongoing. Hammond said the township plans to use a third-party acoustics firm for sound-related review. Kovach said the developer has its own sound expert, but the township’s independent acoustics engineer will also review the information. The developer will pay for the review.

The board also moved forward on farmland preservation by approving a five-member committee to review the township’s farmland preservation ordinance. Hammond said the group’s role is limited to reviewing the ordinance and paperwork, not selecting farmland preservation projects. The June action moves the moratorium from discussion to approval. It also shows the data center has shifted into a construction oversight phase, while the township’s zoning and farmland preservation work focuses on what could come next.