Village of Hobart approves one-year moratorium on data centers
The Village of Hobart, Wisconsin, has approved a one-year moratorium on data center development. This decision was made by the Village Board to allow time to draft new rules and standards for regulating such facilities. Trustee Melissa Tanke voted against the measure, seeking more restrictive definitions.
The Village of Hobart, Wisconsin, announced on Wednesday that its Village Board voted 4-1 on Tuesday night to approve a one-year moratorium on data center development within the village. The moratorium aims to provide the Village with time to draft comprehensive rules and standards to regulate future data center projects.
Village Trustee Melissa Tanke cast the sole dissenting vote, stating her desire for the moratorium's definitions to be more restrictive. According to Village Administrator Aaron Kramer, a draft ordinance outlining these new regulations is expected to be ready for public review and input as early as next month or in September.
This move by Hobart aligns with similar actions taken or considered by other municipalities and counties in Wisconsin, including Brown and Outagamie Counties, in response to the increasing proliferation of AI data centers across the state.