KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM – Kalamazoo city commissioners have approved a resolution to establish a moratorium on high tech facilities to store data and electricity until they can draft regulation to properly manage them within city limits.
The goal is to get the zoning amendments rewritten within a year, but it may be shorter or longer depending on how much work it takes.
City Attorney Aaron Leal says it would be a violation of the state zoning enabling act for the city to impose an outright ban on such facilities, as one commissioner suggested.
Several commissioners visited the Harbor Farmz marijuana growing operation that sparked fears about such a facility moving into Milwood.
That visit drew criticism from opponents.
Vice Mayor Drew Duncan says the visit just reinforced his resolve for the moratorium, because he learned that the new owner might have expansion plans beyond the low megawatt facility they are pitching.
The moratorium resolution will now go to the city’s planning commission for their review and a recommendation and then return to the city commission for final approval.
Staff would then do the work redrafting city zoning regulations for industrial areas.
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