Wisconsin Rapids commission votes in favor of data center moratorium draft
The Wisconsin Rapids Planning Commission voted 6-0 to begin drafting a data center moratorium following months of community opposition and protest. This is considered the first step towards potentially halting new data center developments in the city. However, PNK Group's proposed data center at an old mill site is not expected to be affected as their conditional use permit application was filed prior to this vote, potentially grandfathering it in.
The Wisconsin Rapids Planning Commission has voted 6-0 to take the initial steps toward drafting a data center moratorium. This decision comes after months of intense community backlash and protest, which necessitated relocating a public meeting to accommodate a larger-than-expected turnout at the Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School theater.
Local groups, including the Central Wisconsin Ratepayers and Land Alliance, chaired by Carrie Boettcher, expressed cautious optimism, calling the vote a necessary step. Emily Oetzman, an organizer for South Wood County Neighbors for Community Development, also acknowledged it as a move in the right direction but cautioned against premature celebration. Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Matt Zacher indicated this vote signifies the start of the drafting process, with more meetings required before a moratorium can be put to a final vote.
Despite this progress, the proposed data center project by PNK Group at the old mill site is expected to remain unaffected. The company had already filed an application for a conditional use permit, which city officials say grandfathers their project into the existing regulations. Community members opposing data centers, citing concerns over environmental impact, noise pollution, and the risk of companies abandoning the city, acknowledge that their fight against specific projects, like PNK Group's, is far from over. PNK Group is also conducting community outreach sessions via Zoom throughout August.