Milwaukee Will Pursue Data Center Moratorium
Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic is leading a push for a citywide moratorium on new data centers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This temporary ban is proposed to prevent new developments while the Common Council works to establish comprehensive zoning regulations for these energy-intensive facilities. The proposed regulations have faced delays due to required public notice processes, pushing potential approvals to October.
Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic is spearheading an initiative within the Milwaukee Common Council to enact a citywide moratorium on new data centers. This temporary measure is deemed necessary to halt development submissions while the city finalizes a comprehensive regulatory framework for data centers, which has been delayed until at least October due to required public notice processes.
The proposed permanent regulations, which have evolved significantly since their initial introduction, aim to restrict data center development to properties zoned Industrial Heavy, a reduction from the initial proposal covering all industrial districts. This change, which followed consultations with council members and advocacy groups, necessitated additional public notice, further delaying the City Plan Commission hearing. The revised proposal also includes requirements for data centers to comply with the city's Small Business Enterprises and Residents Preference Program and to hold three community meetings.
The proposed zoning ordinance outlines a tiered approval system based on a facility's size, ranging from permitted facilities under 20,000 square feet with specific cooling systems, to those between 20,001 and 60,000 square feet requiring special-use approval, and facilities larger than 60,000 square feet requiring a site-specific zoning change. Dimitrijevic stressed that her intention is not to impede technological investment but to establish public oversight given the rapid growth of AI-related projects and the city's current lack of specific data center regulations. The moratorium itself must also navigate the city's zoning review process, with potential Common Council votes on both the moratorium and permanent regulations anticipated for October 13.