Data centers: none proposed near Torch Lake, but boards are writing rules anyway
We found no data-center application, land deal or power project in Antrim County’s public records. Three townships around the lake have acted ahead of time, and the next meetings are this month. Here is what the record shows.
The short version
- Custer Township passed a resolution declaring data centers “not desired within township boundaries” (Aug. 11, 2026, 5–0). It says the township can’t actually prevent one, because neither the township nor the county has zoning.
- Helena Township’s planning commission drafted data-center rules, sent them to the county in August, then voted in September to stop and start over. It meets again Thursday, Nov. 5, 7 p.m.
- Forest Home Township’s planning commission asked for sample “A.I. Data Centers” ordinances in May and has kept discussing them.
- Milton Township has a “Data Center Discussion” on its planning commission’s list for Wed., Dec. 2.
Every local action on the record
| Date | Board | What happened | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 19, 2026 | Helena Twp. Planning Commission | Public hearing on adding data centers to the township’s rules for renewable energy, battery storage and utility-scale facilities (§5.09). Topics: a 55-decibel noise standard, water use, groundwater. “The Township cannot simply prohibit data centers outright.” No action. | Minutes |
| April 2, 2026 | Helena Twp. Planning Commission | A motion to amend the section “failed to garner a second.” A motion to add a definition of “data center” passed unanimously. | Minutes |
| May 6, 2026 | Forest Home Twp. Planning Commission | Voted for a one-year moratorium on “all Renewal Energy and Battery Storage Systems Ordinances,” and asked the zoning administrator to get samples of “A.I. Data Centers” ordinances and contact the township’s planning consultant. | Minutes |
| June 4, 2026 | Helena Twp. Planning Commission | Approved “a final definition of data centers,” unanimously. | Minutes |
| Aug. 6, 2026 | Helena Twp. Planning Commission | Approved the combined renewable-energy, battery-storage and data-center language and sent it to the Antrim County Planning Commission for review. | Minutes |
| Aug. 11, 2026 | Custer Twp. Board | Resolution #8 of 2026, “Establishing Public Policy Against Data Centers.” It cites the grid, water use, groundwater, noise and wildlife, and says the board “will provide this resolution to any developer or State agency inquiring.” 5–0 (Flake, Elder, Allen, Fleet, Simon). | Resolution |
| Aug. 13, 2026 | Helena Twp. Board | A resident asked the board to consider a temporary moratorium while the township studies water, noise and infrastructure. No board action. | Minutes |
| Sept. 3, 2026 | Helena Twp. Planning Commission | “No data-center application is currently pending.” After training advised against mixing data centers into renewable-energy rules, voted (all in favor) “to stop forward progress” on the amendment sent to the county and start over using the Michigan Townships Association’s new sample ordinance. The minutes note Helena has no industrial zoning district and no municipal water or sewer. | Minutes |
| Sept. 3, 2026 | Forest Home Twp. Board | Planning commission report: “Discussions included Data Centers.” | Minutes |
| Oct. 1, 2026 | Helena Twp. Planning Commission | Leaned toward a stand-alone data-center ordinance; no final direction. A “multi-township ad hoc effort is being organized.” Asked whether to recommend a moratorium, 3 of 7 members said yes in a poll; no motion. (Draft minutes.) | Minutes |
| Dec. 2, 2026 | Milton Twp. Planning Commission | “Data Center Discussion” is listed among future items. It was set for July and postponed in September. | Nov. 4 agenda |
We found no mention of data centers in Torch Lake Township’s board minutes from November 2025 through September 2026 or in the Village of Bellaire’s 2026 council minutes. Torch Lake Township’s new zoning ordinance (effective March 5, 2026) defines a “data processing facility”; we found the term only in its definitions.
Can a township say no?
Not simply. Helena’s planning commission was told it “cannot simply prohibit data centers outright,” but can write standards and conditions. A moratorium is a temporary pause while rules are written. Custer Township’s resolution states a policy but admits it can’t stop a project, because neither the township nor Antrim County has zoning there.
What state law says
Michigan gives large data centers a sales-tax exemption on equipment under a law signed in January 2025 (Public Act 207 of 2024). The law doesn’t override local zoning. A bill for a statewide pause on new data centers (House Bill 5594) has been in committee since February 2026.
Michigan Legislature: HB 4906 (PA 207 of 2024), HB 5594.
Nearby
- Kalkaska County: a large data-center campus proposed on state land was called off in November 2025 after public opposition (Interlochen Public Radio).
- Garfield Township, Grand Traverse County: a one-year ban on data centers and cryptocurrency mining, adopted in August 2026 (Interlochen Public Radio).
- Hayes Township, Charlevoix County: a 180-day moratorium adopted in February 2026 (Interlochen Public Radio).
And AI?
The only local government use of AI-driven technology we found in the record is the Sheriff’s Office’s license-plate cameras. Read about the cameras and who approved them →
Dates to watch
- Thu., Nov. 5, 7 p.m.: Helena Township Planning Commission, 8751 Helena Road, Alden.
- Wed., Dec. 2: Milton Township Planning Commission, 7023 Cherry Ave., Kewadin (data-center discussion listed).
Know of a data-center inquiry, land deal or power project near the lake? tips@torchlakeobserver.com. A correction or response: corrections@torchlakeobserver.com.
Update log
Nov. 1, 2026: Page started.