The Southfield City Council has given the go-ahead for a site plan review for a proposed data center, moving the project along one more step in the Metro Detroit community. 

The topic was on the agenda for Monday's Southfield City Council meeting, as Metrobloks LLC is hoping to build the data center on a vacant lot on Inkster Road, between 11 Mile Road and Interstate 696. The meeting included a public comment time. 

There was also a presentation during the Dec. 8 council meeting about the project. 

Dozens of Southfield residents showed up to Monday's city council meeting to voice their concerns about the proposed data center. 

"I'm asking council to slow this process down. Require an independent third-party environmental and utility impact study and not take a vote tonight," said Southfield resident Jennifer Ormond. 

One of the biggest issues, the strain this 110,000 square foot facility on Inkster Road between 11 Mile Road and I-696 could have on the power grid.

Developer Metrobloks said in its application that it is planning for an appearance of the structures that is "harmonious with nearby existing or future developments," and provides for preservation of natural features where possible. 

A representative from Metrobloks says the company is not asking rate payers to subsidize costs.

"We are using more electricity to use less water, and we're paying for that electricity, the cost of the upgrades to the system, not to mention the obvious, of course, the electricity itself," said Jeffery Mandel of Metrobloks Representative. 

Despite overwhelming opposition during the public comment period, the project was still approved with a vote of 5-2.

According to Southfield Mayor Ken Siver, Metrobloks doesn't yet have all of the $500 million needed for the project.

"Now that they've got a site that they can develop, they've got to find their customers, they've got to raise the rest of the money," Siver said. "They've got to do something within 18 months, or they've got to come back and renew it."

Siver says Metrobloks will next need to submit building plans.

"There's a whole litany of things that they will have to pull permits for and get approval on," Siver said.

He promises the city will continue to oversee the project every step of the way.

"Because it is zoned for a data center. Doesn't mean that, okay, they've got carte blanche. They can do whatever they want. No, the city will continue to monitor this," Siver said. 

There are already five data centers in Southfield. This new one is planned for 110,000 square feet in size, much smaller than the data centers proposed in Howell and Saline Township.