Farmington Hills puts data center decisions on hold while it studies zoning

Farmington Hills will hold off on decisions about data centers while it studies whether to change its zoning rules.

The City Council approved a resolution Monday, Oct. 12, "regarding the study and possible consideration of Zoning Ordinance amendments and the temporary deferral and postponement of decisions regarding datacenter uses," according to the meeting agenda and the city's summary of actions.

The item was on the consent agenda, which the council approves in a single vote without separate discussion unless a member asks to pull an item.

What isn't known yet

The agenda and summary give only the resolution's title. The city has not posted the full text, so it is not yet clear:

• how long the deferral lasts
• whether any data center proposal is pending in the city
• what zoning changes the city will study

The summary does not list vote tallies.

Other communities

Farmington Hills is not the only Oakland County community trying to set rules for data centers. Pontiac is in its second six-month moratorium, which expires in January, and is drafting rules addressing water and air quality, utilities and quality of life. State law does not let communities exclude data centers outright, WXYZ has reported. Our story on Pontiac.

Also approved Monday

According to the city's summary, the council also:

• backed a Transportation Alternatives Program grant application for the "9 Line," a non-motorized path along 9 Mile Road from I-275 to Farmington Road
• approved an agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant program
• bought new irrigation controls for the city golf course from SiteOne Landscape Supply for $126,059.79
• went into closed session to discuss bargaining with the city's firefighters' union

This story uses the Farmington Hills City Council's Oct. 12, 2026, agenda and summary of actions and earlier reporting from WXYZ.