Prologis Data Center Rezoning Decision in Washington Township Delayed Until February
January 4, 2026
A pivotal decision on the rezoning of a major data center campus in Macomb County, Michigan, has been postponed, highlighting the complex balancing act between capitalizing on the AI-driven data center boom and addressing local community concerns. The proposed development underscores the intense competition among Detroit-area municipalities to attract these large-scale, infrastructure-heavy projects, which promise significant tax revenue and economic activity but also raise questions about land use, utility demands, and community impact.
The Washington Township Planning Commission has rescheduled its consideration of a rezoning application from real estate logistics giant Prologis from its January 8 meeting to February 12. The delay was requested by the company’s legal representative. Prologis is seeking to rezone a 312-acre parcel on 32 Mile Road to an Industrial-Research-Technology district, a necessary first step before it could apply for a special land use permit to construct a data center technical campus. The company initially submitted a conditional rezoning application in November but withdrew those specific conditions earlier this month, opting to pursue a straightforward rezoning.
The scale of the proposed "32 Mile Road Technical Campus" is significant within the context of southeastern Michigan's rapidly evolving data center landscape. While substantial at 312 acres, it is smaller than other recent proposals, such as a 575-acre site in Saline Township and a massive 950-acre campus planned for Howell. According to planning documents, the demand for such facilities is being driven largely by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence technologies. The Washington Township site, near existing industrial areas like the former Romeo Ford Plant, would include green buffers separating it from nearby residential areas on Powell and 31 Mile Roads.
Key provisions of the proposal include a reversion clause stating that if development is not completed within five years of site plan approval, the property would revert to its original industrial and agricultural residential zoning. Prologis and utility providers have argued that adding a large user like a data center can help spread the fixed costs of water and sewer infrastructure among more customers, potentially stabilizing or even reducing rates for existing users. This aligns with broader state-level considerations; the Michigan Public Service Commission requires large customers like data centers to enter into minimum 15-year contracts with steep exit fees to protect residential utility ratepayers.
Community opposition, however, remains a significant hurdle. A December planning commission meeting drew skeptical residents, with one, Armanda Township's Sean Webber, calling the proposal “a complete farce.” A dedicated Facebook group discussing the project has amassed over 1,500 followers. In response, Prologis spokesperson Mattie Sorrentino stated the rezoning approach “keeps more options on the table” and emphasized community engagement should the project advance. “We completely understand people might have questions and concerns,” Sorrentino said via email, noting that detailed plans would be shared later in the process.
The outcome in Washington Township is being closely watched, as at least ten other data center projects are currently proposed across Metro Detroit municipalities, including Springfield, Lyon, and Ypsilanti Townships. The delay until February provides more time for scrutiny of a project that sits at the intersection of technological demand, economic development, and local governance.
Source: macombdaily
