Article

Bay City Mayor Chris Girard has proposed a resolution to establish guidelines for data center developments, which will be considered by the Bay City Commission on January 5, 2026. The resolution instructs the city manager to collaborate with the planning commission to create zoning and operational standards addressing concerns about large hyperscale data centers.

Key elements include evaluating maximum facility size, power and water usage limits, and cooling methods. The resolution differentiates between types of data centers, acknowledging that smaller facilities may support local needs in various sectors.

Until new standards are adopted, data center projects exceeding community thresholds will not be approved, and large hyperscale centers will be deemed incompatible unless specifically authorized. The planning commission is also tasked with public engagement and alignment with Bay City's Master Plan.