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The Saline Township Board approved a consent agreement in hopes of avoiding a lawsuit with the people behind the proposed data center on the west end of the township.
All but Supervisor Jim Marion approved the agreement. The board now awaits the response from Related Digital.
PREVIOUS READING: Related Digital, Landowners Sue Saline Township for Rezoning Denial | The Saline Post
The vote came after more than two hours in closed session with the planning commission and attorneys Fred Lucas and David Landry.
When the meeting reopened, Landry explained that negotiations had been held between the lawyers to reach a consent judgment resolving the dispute. The developer's proposal was presented to the board. The board made some changes to the developer's proposal:
Both Lucas and Landry emphasized that the developer must agree to the terms.
"This may be a moot point if they don't accept what we have presented to them," Lucas said.
Trustee Tom Hammond moved to approve the consent judgment with the terms outlined by the attorneys. It was seconded by Clerk Kelly Marion. Treasure Jennifer Zink and Trustee Dean Marion also voted yes. Supervisor Jim Marion voted no.
Seems it may be a good time for local townships and cities to band together, pool resources, and start lobbying Lansing for legislation to prevent this type of threat of lawsuit to continue to transform our landscape. As understood, this land was zoned in a fashion that would prohibit this data center. That zoning designation was attached to deliver the community the majority of taxpayers desired (and for other reasons that drive designation). The current owners acquired the land understanding what it was and was not zoned to allow. Perhaps the price was even influenced (lower) because of that designation. Now that someone wants to buy it for commercial purposes they want the zoning changed and the citizens either have to bare the costs of a lawsuit or have the city/township cave - neither an acceptable alternative. Enough of these developers with deep pockets of all forms coming in and destroying our communities leveraging underhanded tactics. Saline Township is a small voice with limited resources. The many townships and cities of Michigan whose residents have had enough are a much larger voice with significant pooled resources. Time to join together to save our communities.
This. Going forward, communities in Michigan will be especially susceptible because of our abundant fresh water. As farmers lose crops and federal support, there will also be a push from big tech to swoop in and buy up land. We're already seeing these fights against data centers in Howell, Ypsi, and further north. It's time for a collective approach to community lobby to protect our health, natural resources, and local ecology.
Feel bad for the people around there. Wells will run dry and future problems that are unseen will occur. I am sorry for you nearby that we couldn’t have stopped this mess.