Greenville plan commission recommends data center moratorium
The Greenville Plan Commission in Wisconsin unanimously recommended a one-year moratorium on data center projects. This action aims to provide village staff time to develop a permanent zoning policy for future data center developments. The move is driven by public opposition and concerns about environmental impact, electricity, and water usage.
The Greenville Plan Commission in Wisconsin has unanimously approved a recommendation for a one-year moratorium on data center projects within the village. This significant first step is intended to allow village staff sufficient time to formulate a comprehensive, permanent policy for future data center developments.
Village officials, including Village President Jack Anderson, stated that while no data center applications have been received, a proactive approach is crucial. Public comments during the meeting revealed strong opposition from residents like Melanie Tetzloff and Eric Bargaehr, who expressed concerns about environmental harm, lack of community benefit, and a desire for full transparency from developers. Krista Galm also advocated for a more intense vetting process and required environmental impact statements.
Discussions before the moratorium recommendation focused on potential zoning restrictions, including limits on size, electricity and water usage, mandatory public hearings, and compliance inspections. The commission aims to explore ways to permanently prevent data centers from establishing in Greenville. The recommended moratorium still requires approval from the full village board.