Solon Township Schedules Public Hearing for Data Center Zoning Ordinance

SOLON TOWNSHIP — The Solon Township Planning Commission has released draft five of its data center zoning ordinance and scheduled the public hearing for June 24 at 7 p.m. at Frost Creek Church, 15671 Algoma Ave NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.

Strong ordinances are designed to protect communities from water table contamination, declining property values, noise pollution, among other things. Notably missing from this ordinance, however, are numeric allowances for water and wastewater usage and requirements for disclosing conflicts of interest. Another request to the subcommittee involved regulations for banning township officials from signing non-disclosure agreements. That request was also denied.

“Making a public comment enters resident concerns into the public record. This is the most important meeting community members could attend,” said Cedar Springs resident Katie Valtchev.

Residents first raised concerns after learning of the potential 800-acre data center site in January 2026. Cedar Springs City Manager Darla Falcon connected local public-private nonprofit The Right Place with Solon Township Supervisor Robert Ellick in May 2025 to discuss the project. Ellick signed an NDA in June 2025 with Venerly LLC with unanimous approval from the board.

Subcommittee members Mark Hoskins, Keith Sawade, and Rick Sevey will listen to public comments and make recommendations to the Planning Commission regarding the zoning ordinance.

Between now and the public hearing, the public has the opportunity to send their concerns and suggestions about the data center zoning ordinance to Solon Township’s administrative assistant, zoning administrator, and supervisor using their email links via www.solontwp.org