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The Data Center Divide

Niles Township

This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.

Mixed Data Center Policies

Niles Township has an enacted moratorium stopping data-center applications and permits for up to 12 months, or until new zoning rules take effect; some descriptions nevertheless call it proposed. It delays new projects but does not ban existing operations.

Rating from Michigan statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Niles Township.

current law · Niles Charter Township
Pauses data center projects in Niles Township for 12 months while officials update zoning rules and the master plan.Niles Charter Township Zoning Ordinance 26-01 (2026)

What this means

The measure would pause data center projects in Niles Township for 12 months, giving the township time to revise its zoning rules (a 12-month data center moratorium). That year-long delay is a substantial obstacle to building or expanding data centers, and the sources describe no offsetting benefits for them.

People behind it

  • Approved the 12-month data center moratorium and the zoning amendment for marijuana establishments as a special land use, contingent on voter approval. Trustees approved the amendments.

  • Recommended allowing marijuana establishments in local business zoning districts; the article also says the commission viewed the moratorium as helping protect the township while it updates its master plan. The planning commission recommended.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • A 12-month data center moratorium pauses data center projects while the township updates its zoning ordinance and master plan.

Sources

current law · Niles Charter Township
Would temporarily block acceptance or processing of data-center applications for up to 12 months, or until data-center zoning rules take effect; the packet shows it was proposed for adoption, not yet adopted.Niles Charter Township Zoning Ordinance 26-01 — Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers (2026)

What this means

The proposed moratorium would stop the Township from accepting or processing data center applications for up to 12 months, unless data-center zoning rules take effect sooner (“a temporary moratorium is imposed”). That is a major development barrier, though it does not itself ban existing data center operations, and the Township could extend it by resolution.

Timing

Ends
Twelve months after adoption, or when amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding data centers become effective, whichever occurs first.

The moratorium applies to accepting or processing applications for data centers. The Township Board may extend it by resolution to allow additional review or zoning amendments, with notice posted on the Township website.

People behind it

  • Moved the Planning Commission recommendation of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 26-01 establishing temporary moratorium authority and a data-center moratorium.

  • Supported the motion recommending Zoning Ordinance Amendment 26-01.

  • Proposed and recommended approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendments 26-01 and 26-02.

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  • Moved the motion recommending Zoning Ordinance Amendment 26-02 concerning marihuana retailers and moved amendments removing the LB and HB districts and adding a 1,000-foot church separation requirement.

  • Supported the motion recommending Zoning Ordinance Amendment 26-02.

  • Responsible for final adoption of the zoning ordinances and for imposing the temporary data-center moratorium.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements4

  • Imposes a temporary moratorium prohibiting the acceptance and/or processing of any applications for data centers.

  • The moratorium lasts 12 months or until amendments to the zoning ordinance governing data centers become effective, whichever occurs first.

  • The Township Board may extend the moratorium by resolution if additional time is needed to review, revise, repeal, or replace zoning provisions concerning data centers.

  • A future temporary moratorium may be imposed only after a majority-vote recommendation by the Planning Commission containing supporting findings and action by the Township Board through an ordinance or resolution containing its own supporting findings.

Sources

current law · Niles Charter Township
Prohibits Niles Charter Township from granting permits for data centers for 12 months.Niles Charter Township Data Center Permit Moratorium (2026)

What this means

If enacted, the measure would pause permits for data centers in Niles Township for 12 months, preventing new projects from moving forward during that period (a 12-month moratorium on permits). That temporary but broad delay is a severe restriction, though the sources do not describe a permanent ban or exceptions.

Timing

Ends
12 months after adoption

The township approved a 12-month moratorium on granting permits for data centers.

People behind it

  • Approved and adopted the 12-month moratorium on granting permits for data centers.

  • Moved to begin the zoning-ordinance amendment process imposing the data-center moratorium.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Imposes a 12-month moratorium on granting permits for data centers in Niles Township.

Sources

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