Should Milwaukee impose a data center moratorium?

There is growing opposition to the development of massive data centers both locally in Milwaukee and across the United States, citing concerns about their size, noise, and high consumption of water and power. The city of Milwaukee previously scaled back a proposed data center development at the former Midtown Center site, removing the data center component, due to strong neighborhood opposition.

Happening today, the Milwaukee City Plan Commission is scheduled to discuss a proposal for a city-wide, one-year moratorium on new data center development. The proposal, sponsored by Bay View Alderwoman Marina Deitriic, argues that the city's current zoning code does not adequately regulate land use for data centers and a pause is necessary to develop "thorough, thoughtful, and community centric regulations" to address environmental, public health, and general welfare impacts.

While acknowledging the potential economic benefits of data centers such as jobs and tax revenue, a radio commentator expressed support for the temporary ban. The commentator believes the moratorium, if enacted, should be used to create clear standards, zoning, and identify appropriate industrial sites for future data center development, rather than serving as a precursor to a permanent ban. If moved forward by the Plan Commission, the proposal could reach the Common Council committee by early next month and potentially be passed by the end of the year, leading to a pause in 2027.