Van Buren Township approves site plan for Michigan's second hyperscale data center

Van Buren Township officials voted 5-1 to approve the final site plan for Google's proposed hyperscale data center near Detroit Metro Airport, according to reports by The Morning Sun, Macomb Daily, and The Oakland Press. This approval follows nearly an hour of public comments from both supporters and opponents of the project.

Google has secured a 20-year electricity contract with DTE Energy, approved by state utility regulators on October 1, and received wetland permits from state environmental regulators in August. The data center, called Project Cannoli, is expected to start drawing electricity by late 2027.

The site is located between interstates 94 and 275 and Haggerty and Hannan roads, an area long zoned for industrial use, which facilitated the approval process. The development plans include six buildings, parking lots, a substation, and equipment yards across 150 acres of the 282-acre property.

Several planning commission members praised Google's efforts to address community concerns, including noise reduction measures. However, some nearby residents expressed frustration with ongoing construction activities, reporting dust, noise, and vibrations affecting their quality of life, with particular concern for children with asthma and others with respiratory issues.

The project had been under local review since last year, and the approval marks a significant step toward expanding Michigan's data center infrastructure with Google's second hyperscale facility in the state.