When it comes to renewable energy and data center projects, Allendale hasn’t made headlines the way Blendon, Zeeland, and Jamestown Townships have. But behind the scenes, the Board of Trustees has been taking action.

Back in March of 2026, the Board took a stand against House Bills 5529 through 5531 and 5581 through 5585—bills that would significantly limit the local zoning authority and local decision making as provided under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.

Of note, one of the bills, HB 5585, is sponsored in part by State Representative Luke Meerman.

The Board expressed opposition to the bills by passing a resolution and urging members of the Michigan Legislature “to preserve the long-standing principle of local control over land use planning and zoning decisions as contemplated by the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.”

At the Allendale Township Board meeting Tuesday night, May 26, Township Supervisor Adam Elenbaas explained that there’s a huge push in Lansing to take away local zoning decisions—such as determining zoning and guidelines for duplexes, single-family homes, etc.—decisions which, according to the Board, are best made at the local level. The bills are currently in committee.

Elenbaas went on to say that he’s been in contact with Representative Meerman, who is in favor of taking away local control. In addition to his own urgings, Elenbaas said Meerman needs to hear from constituents on how to best represent the community. Reach out to Rep. Luke Meerman and Clerk of the Committee Edward Sleeper, if you’d like to voice your opinion.

Next Step: Moratorium

Enacting a moratorium is a two-step process, with the initial step being to introduce a first reading. Elenbaas said the moratorium was on Tuesday's agenda to demonstrate the Board’s intent to take action. The moratorium will put a pause on the consideration of applications for data centers, large-scale solar farms, battery storage facilities, and wind farms.

The State has taken a lot of local control away, leaving few tools for municipalities, Elenbaas explained. The moratorium will establish a pause for a period of one year. During that time, the township will update ordinances and guidelines for each of the four types of facilities. He added that the moratorium may need to be extended depending on the time it takes to do the research, gather feedback, etc. Some of the research will be on ways to best guard the declining levels of groundwater.

In two weeks, the moratorium will be up for a vote. Elenbaas said the Board intends to pass the moratorium and give the township the opportunity to step through each motion of preparation. The Planning Commission will walk through the same steps, going through the zoning ordinance method. Some of the steps may be redundant but are necessary to ensure all work is done through a legal process.

Elenbaas pointed out that there are a lot of municipalities in the state that didn't take this path before the energy and data center applications came in and are now trying to figure out how to react instead of how to be proactive.

The Allendale Board has taken a stand with what appears to have been little community engagement, compared to other boards that seemed to have needed the pleas and outcries of residents in order to fight for the local control they’re losing.

Of the handful of residents who attended Tuesday night's meeting, those giving public comment expressed their gratitude for what the Board is doing—taking steps beforehand instead of trying to work backwards, as one resident put it.

Another resident appreciated that the moratorium would allow Allendale time to engage with citizens to address concerns and set clear expectations. She encouraged the Board to do independent research and to remember that there is more risk to the citizen than a developer will disclose.

One resident noted that Allendale is not an industrial community, but a rural farming community, trying to preserve and stick to its roots while making improvements to the community.

The moratorium can be read here.

The vote for the moratorium will take place at the June 8, 2026 meeting.

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