County leaders start work on data center ordinance | Weekly Wausonian
Marathon County leaders have begun developing an ordinance to regulate data centers after approving a year-long moratorium on new facilities in August. The proposed rules may address water and electricity demand, generators, noise, lighting, traffic, emergency response and compatibility with neighboring properties.
The Marathon County Environmental Resources Committee began discussing a potential data center ordinance after county leaders approved a one-year moratorium on new facilities in August. Committee members identified water and electricity demand, backup generators, noise, lighting, construction traffic, emergency response and neighboring-property compatibility as issues the ordinance could address.
The committee is seeking expert information and may distinguish between large data centers and smaller server facilities. County staff said they have received one inquiry about general data-center regulations, but no specific project proposal has been submitted. Supervisor John Robinson also suggested the county consider notification requirements for proposed facilities in areas outside the county's zoning jurisdiction.