What to know about Marathon County’s 12-month data center moratorium

The Marathon County Board in Wisconsin approved a 12-month moratorium on data center development on August 25, affecting 18 townships under county zoning. The temporary halt aims to protect public health, safety, and welfare while county staff develop appropriate regulations. This decision was supported by a survey of seven out of the 18 townships, as reported by Shad Harvey, land use manager for Marathon County, at an August 4 Environmental Resources Committee meeting.

The moratorium applies to proposed facilities where data center operation is a primary use or where the cumulative gross floor area dedicated to data center operations exceeds 5,000 square feet. It covers various approvals, including land use permits, conditional use permits, and zoning text amendments for new developments or expansions. During this period, county staff and the Environmental Resources Committee will evaluate potential zoning text amendments, use classifications, application requirements, and performance standards for data centers. The ordinance justifies the standards by citing concerns such as high electrical demand, significant utility infrastructure needs, cooling systems, noise, vibration, emergency power generation, traffic impacts, and compatibility with residential, agricultural, and rural land uses. The county's authority to implement the moratorium is based on Wisconsin State Statutes 59.02 and 59.69, which establish broad county and zoning powers.