Neighbors of Lowell,

Please consider signing this petition, and emailing the Board of Trustees (draft email and contacts below), urging them and the Lowell Township Planning Commission to delay any vote on the rezoning of Covenant Industrial Park until fair public hearing has been held, with all stakeholders, and to vote AGAINST the rezoning of Covenant Industrial Park from I-PUD to Light Industrial. A 100MW+ data center consuming as much power as >70k homes is not light industry, based on the township zoning ordinance definition: Any industrial or warehousing operation that meets the performance standards of this ordinance, and which is totally contained inside an enclosure of whose operation or storage is totally screened from view, and which does not create excessive off-site noise or pollution and does not make excessive demands on public roads, water and sewage facilities or other community facilities.

My name is Ashton Shaw and I am a citizen in Lowell Township, concerned with how quickly the township is voting to rezone the Covenant Industrial Park from I-PUD to Light Industrial to appease a hyperscale datacenter development we know little to nothing about. Like many others, I heard about this development on 12/2/2025 by way of The Old Theatre Marquee 2 days ago. Feel free to review my research notes, so you don't have to start from scratch... I am not a city planner or local government expert, so if what I am saying is unfair, or inaccurate, please let me know.

We are facing a critical decision that could shape the future of our community.

On Monday December 8th, 7:00pm @ 2910 ALDEN NASH AVE SE (planning commission) and December 15th, 7:00pm @ 2910 ALDEN NASH AVE SE (board meeting) votes will be cast to approve, reject, or postpone the request to rezone Covenant Industrial Park from an Industrial Planned Unit Development (I-PUD) to Light Industrial. This proposed rezoning threatens to reduce guardrails and "fastrack" the development of a hyperscale data warehouse without fair due process, altering the character of our township indefinitely.

The rezoning process has been marred by a mishandling of due process and there has been a noticeable lack of transparency and communication from the planning commission and board of trustees, leading to concerns about whether this decision is being made in the best interests of the community. As an example, in February and March of 2025, the Planning Commission added Data Center's as an acceptable land use under the PUD zoning ordinance, yet this was not once brought up during the meeting minutes, or public hearing, giving zero opportunity for meaningful dialogue that builds trust.

A fair hearing, accompanied by a thorough opportunity for public comment, is essential when considering developments of this magnitude. However, myself and many residents are feeling blindsided, and that the scale and impact of this development have not been fully discussed or considered. While this development has been under discussions and design for well over a year, zero details, and zero public discourse has occurred until 1 week before the planning commission meeting to vote on the rezoning proposal. The haste is unnecessary and disrespectful. If this development is benign and such a positive for the community, then why the lies, secrecy and back door dealings?

During the City Hall open house on Dec 2nd, we heard from Franklin Partners and elected officials that they have only been discussing this with the "Big Tech tenant" for a few months. During the Dec 3rd open house, we heard from Mike Burns that these discussions have been going on since October of 2024 (well over a year). We were lied to about the timeline and our elected officials have signed non-disclosure agreements that prohibit them from disclosing any further details about the development while they work in secrecy to rezone the I-PUD without due process and fair public hearing about the projects impacts.

Rezoning the Covenant Industrial Park from I-PUD to Light Industrial disregards our community safeguards, interests, and the spirit and intent of the Lowell Township Zoning Ordinance (chapter 15: I-96 Planned Use Development), in the subservient interest of Big Tech Billionaires. The proposed development would forever scar our communities gateway, lead to increased traffic, noise, light, diesel pollution, and alter the power/influence dynamic of our modest community. Furthermore, property values and the appeal of Lowell's small town charm will forever be brought down by the hyperscale energy beast on our doorstep. We must consider the long-term implications and risks with great care to protecting the charm and livability of Lowell Township.

To ensure that the future of our township is decided with integrity, transparency, and fairness, we, the residents of Lowell Township, urge the Lowell Township Planning Commission to vote AGAINST the proposed rezoning of Covenant Industrial Park from I-PUD to Light Industrial.

Please show up to meetings and email the board of Trustees to make your voice heard, thank you!

Draft email to board of trustees:

Dear _______________,

As a concerned citizen, I ask that you delay any vote on the rezoning of Covenant Industrial Park until fair public hearing has been held, with all stakeholders, and to vote AGAINST the rezoning of Covenant Industrial Park from I-PUD to Light Industrial. A 100MW+/- data center consuming as much power as 70k homes / year is not light industry, based on the township zoning ordinance definition: Any industrial or warehousing operation that meets the performance standards of this ordinance, and which is totally contained inside an enclosure of whose operation or storage is totally screened from view, and which does not create excessive off-site noise or pollution and does not make excessive demands on public roads, water and sewage facilities or other community facilities.

Further, it does not align with Lowell Township's Master Plan goals, notably:

To preserve productive farmlands and maintain the agricultural sector of the Township’s economy.
To preserve wetlands, woodlands, steep slopes, flood plains and other natural resources which define the rural character of Lowell Township.
Through proper land use planning and orderly requirements provide opportunities for attractive convenience shopping and service facilities to serve the present and future needs of the community.
Ensure that residential communities are attractive, safe, adequately served by utilities, roadways, stormwater drainage facilities, and sidewalks and are designed to promote a sense of neighborhood.
To provide for a street system which will result in safe distribution of traffic on existing and future streets.
To maintain a continuing program of reviewing and evaluating the planning needs and goals of the community.

Lastly, the due process and public hearing efforts that have been demonstrated have not been adequate to act in good faith regarding the largest development in Lowell's history, bar none.

For these reasons, I ask that you delay any vote on the rezoning of Covenant Industrial Park until fair public hearings have been held, with all stakeholders, and to vote AGAINST the rezoning of Covenant Industrial Park from I-PUD to Light Industrial.

Sincerely,

________________________

Lowell Board of Trustees:

Jerry Hale - Supervisor - supervisor@lowelltwp.org
Monica Burtt - Clerk - clerk@lowelltwp.org
Ronda Benedict - Treasurer - treasurer@lowelltwp.org
Mark Anderson - Trustee - trusteea@icloud.com
Carlton Blough - Trustee - trusteeb@icloud.com
William Thompson - Trustee - Bgthomp@aol.com
Andy Vander Ziel - Trustee - andy@vanderziel.com

Lowell Planning Commission:

Ronda Benedict, Board Representative - treasurer@lowelltwp.org
Bill Genovich, Member - no contact information available
David Simmonds, Chair - no contact information available
Greg Forde, Secretary - no contact information available
Mark Batchelor, Vice-Chair - no contact information available
Brad Kotrba - no contact information available

Thank you all for your support,

Sincerely,

Ashton Shaw

Beryl Bartkus

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