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Deborah Stuart has said the City has been discussing data centers in several contexts. On February 5, she advocated for legislative changes to allow decommissioning funds, bonds, or fees, and for statutory changes addressing Qualified Data Center requirements. On February 11, staff received a letter asking for the City’s interpretation of data center use if Ordinance 266 is repealed, and staff coordinated with the City Attorney on a response. On March 16, she said she had been discussing the effect of the referendum on what actions the City Council may take going forward regarding regulation of data centers and would continue researching and provide answers to Council.
She also addressed public concerns and policy options. On April 20, Manager Stuart addressed comments that the city was not being upfront about being contacted with interest in data centers, referenced the FAQ dated November 17, 2025, and addressed comments about a moratorium and why that was no longer an option for the City of Mason.
Her later records show ongoing meetings and information-sharing. On April 27, 2026, staff met with the developer for the first time and provided a project update for the proposed data center development at 3388 W Columbia Road. On June 10, 2026, Manager Stuart met with School Leadership on the Data Center Proposal. On July 6, 2026, she reported resources related to data centers, including Citizens Research Council of Michigan material, a George Mason University study, and a National Association of Realtors presentation. On July 20, 2026, she discussed data center zoning, siting requirements, and strategies to minimize noise, vibration, and visual change. On August 17, 2026, she met with Representative Brixie regarding updates on data center-related bills at the State and discussed the potential impact of data centers and utilities being exempt from Personal Property Tax and the impacts on Drain Assessments on local tax rates.
The records also show related public-facing activity, including that the City was planning a tentative Town Hall on Data Centers for September 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with confirmation and details to be brought back for Council consideration and approval.
Record limitation: The supplied records show what Deb said and did about data centers through August 17, 2026, but they do not establish a complete or current overall position beyond those dated statements.
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On February 5, the City Manager advocated for legislative changes to allow decommissioning funds, bonds, or fees, and for statutory changes addressing Qualified Data Center requirements.
Staff received a letter on February 11 requesting the City's interpretation of data center use if Ordinance 266 is repealed, and staff are coordinating with the City Attorney on a response.
The City Manager told Council that she had been discussing the effect of the referendum on what actions the City Council may take going forward regarding the regulating of data centers, and said she would continue doing research and provide answers to Council.
Manager Stuart addressed comments made regarding the city not being up front about being contacted about interest for data centers, referenced the FAQ on the website dated November 17, 2025, and addressed the comments regarding a moratorium and the reasons that this is no longer an option for the City of Mason.
Deborah Stuart’s City Manager report said staff met with the developer for the first time on April 27, 2026, and provided a project update for the proposed data center development at 3388 W Columbia Road.
On June 10, Manager Stuart met with School Leadership on the Data Center Proposal.
The City Manager reported several resources related to data centers that may be helpful for Council as a resource.
The City Manager reported resources related to data centers, including Citizens Research Council of Michigan material, a George Mason University study, and a National Association of Realtors presentation.
As City Manager, Deborah Stuart said local governments are best positioned to understand and respond to their communities’ needs and discussed data center zoning, siting requirements, and strategies to minimize noise, vibration, and visual change.
Manager Stuart met with Representative Brixie regarding updates on data center-related bills at the State, with staff support and some reporting recommendations, and discussed the potential impact of data centers and utilities being exempt from Personal Property Tax and the impacts on Drain Assessments on local tax rates.
Reported that the City is planning to host a tentative Town Hall on Data Centers on September 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and that confirmation and details will be presented at a future meeting for Council consideration and approval.
The report notes that three communities currently evaluating data centers, including representatives from Howell Township, requested copies of the water resource report in hopes of using the information.
The report relays that U of M affirmed its plans for a data center and quotes Ypsilanti Township saying it is using every available tool, calling on the University to meet directly with residents in a public forum, and actively following up to ensure that happens.
Topics included revenue challenges, data centers, opportunities to share staff, and employee safety amid current trends of increasingly aggressive public interactions.
On May 7, City Manager Stuart participated as the only local government speaker in the University of Michigan symposium, Charting Michigan’s Data Center Future Together: People, Place, Policy & Possibility.
Reported that on July 15 Governor Whitmer launched the Michigan Affordable and Responsible Growth Action Plan and called on data center companies to sign a voluntary pledge outlining expectations to protect Michigan consumers from higher energy costs, safeguard the environment, operate transparently, and create good-paying local jobs.
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