Sun Prairie takes first step toward data center moratorium

The Sun Prairie City Council in Wisconsin unanimously voted to initiate a year-long moratorium on data center development, directing city staff to prepare an ordinance for a temporary zoning code amendment. The proposed moratorium aims to provide the city with time to adequately assess the impacts and secondary uses of hyperscale data centers, thereby allowing for the update of policies and regulations to safeguard public health, safety, and general welfare. A public hearing on the ordinance amendment is scheduled for August 25 with the Sun Prairie Plan Commission, with a final city council vote anticipated in early September.

City Planning Director Josh Clements emphasized that the moratorium is intended to create space for policy updates without any current development proposals. Residents expressed strong support for the initiative during public comment. Discussions among council members, including Alder Mike Jacobs, focused on distinguishing between smaller, manageable data centers and "mega data centers," which raised concerns. Alders Emily Comstock and Santiago Rosas also highlighted potential issues with noise, vibration, and air pollution from cooling systems, while Sun Prairie Wastewater Treatment Plant Conveyance and Treatment Director Jeremy Cramer addressed the need to prepare for proper treatment of potential wastewater.

Additionally, the article notes upcoming high-voltage transmission line projects by Midwest Grid Solutions (MGS) across the state, with one proposed route near Sun Prairie's northeast border. MGS has scheduled open houses in Dane and Dodge Counties, including Sun Prairie, to discuss these electrical grid upgrades, which are intended to improve regional energy utilization.