KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI — Comstock Township is a step closer to ending its pause on new “large” wind, solar, battery and hybrid energy projects.

The township board voted 4-3 on the first reading May 19 to end a moratorium on considering such plans.

Some officials said it’s too soon to safely allow this kind of development. Others want to ensure the township can stay in control as the state pushes for renewable development.

It’ll take several readings by the board and planning commission to finalize the end of the moratorium, said township attorney Catherine Kaufman.

At that point, developers can apply and begin the approval process for any solar, wind, battery of hybrid energy project in the township, Kaufman said. They’ll be governed by the township’s 2024 ordinance.

Tenaska Energy approached the township more than a year ago with plans for a battery storage facility on a 74.5-acre parcel at 7600 E. Main St., per township documents.

That’s just east of Comstock Elementary School.

A committee worked for a year and a half to develop a workable ordinance for such facilities, Trustee Robert Pratt said. It was passed in the fall 2024, before the current board took office.

Citing concerns of potential fires and contamination near the school, the new board enacted a moratorium disallowing applications for any renewable energy facility in January.

It wasn’t intended to block a specific project, Supervisor Ben Martin said previously.

A moratorium committee met to learn more about energy projects and suggest changes to the existing ordinance. That committee has met three times, Martin said.

Board members in favor of ending the moratorium said the Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) — which works with Tenaska — made a very convincing case for the Tenaska project.

The batteries proposed are different than one caught fire in California, Pratt said.

The company presented plans for emergency situations — including evacuation of the nearby school and protections in place to curb the spread of fire, Clerk Nicole Beauchamp said.

Comstock’s existing ordinance is more restrictive than the state’s, Beauchamp said.

It stipulates a 500-foot setback from other buildings, Kaufman said, while the state only requires 300 feet.

Without a workable ordinance (because there’s a moratorium), developers can go around township officials and apply with the state.

On top of that, the state is offering financial incentives on a first-come, first-served basis, Pratt said. It would be best for the township to get in on that additional funding now.

“I hear a lot about incentives, but I didn’t hear much about obtained knowledge,” Martin said. “I think to rush this without even having opportunity for the moratorium committee to roll up their sleeves and work is disgraceful.”

Martin, Treasurer Sandy Bloomfield and Trustee Jerry Amos voted against ending the moratorium. They are all Republicans.

Pratt and Beauchamp are Democrats. Republican trustees Cherry and McIver, who recently faced backlash from party officials, joined the Democrats in favor of ending the moratorium.

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