Columbia County Executive Committee calls for data center moratorium
The Columbia County Executive Committee in Wisconsin has approved a request for an ordinance to enact a temporary moratorium on data center development. This decision was prompted by concerns regarding zoning, water and energy usage, and potential impacts on public health and safety. The committee will now work to develop a specific ordinance with measurable goals and a defined period.
The Columbia County Executive Committee in Wisconsin has approved a request to draft an ordinance for a temporary moratorium on data center development, following a Dec. 10 meeting where the topic was deemed a "radioactive political issue." Board Chair Doug Richmond sought legal guidance from Interim Corporation Counsel Gunnar Horstman, who confirmed the legal feasibility of a moratorium but advised it should be short-term with specific, measurable goals, such as investigating public health, safety, and general welfare concerns.
Director of Planning and Zoning and Land and Water Conservation Kurt Calkins presented a map highlighting limited industrial zoning suitable for hyper-scale data centers, indicating that most new developments would require rezoning, public hearings, and conditional use permits. Vice Chair Tess Carr raised concerns about cities annexing adjacent properties to secure data center tax revenue, a worry Calkins validated. Discussions also touched upon water and energy usage as key impact areas.
The committee approved Carr's motion for corporation counsel and planning and zoning to develop the moratorium ordinance. During this development period, Calkins' department will likely not accept new data center applications, effectively pausing new projects while the county explores appropriate regulations and potential hazards associated with data center development.