Milwaukee’s Data Center Moratorium Heads To First Public Hearing

Milwaukee's proposed one-year moratorium on new data centers is set to undergo its first public hearing before the City Plan Commission on September 28. The temporary ban aims to halt new data center applications while city officials finalize permanent zoning regulations for these energy and water-intensive facilities. Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic is spearheading efforts for both the moratorium and the new zoning framework, citing concerns over rapid proliferation and demands on infrastructure.

The proposed ordinance would prevent city departments from processing new data center applications for a year or until specific zoning code amendments are in place. The city's Zoning Code Technical Committee endorsed the moratorium on August 10, allowing it to advance. The measure still requires approval from the Common Council to take effect.

Alderman Robert Bauman has proposed an amendment to exempt the Forest County Potawatomi Community from the moratorium for data centers on tribal land. The Potawatomi, through Data Holdings, already operates a 46,000-square-foot data center within Bauman's district. The city's current zoning code does not specifically define data centers, and officials aim to establish clear rules to ensure new developments align with Milwaukee's Climate and Equity Plan and manage environmental and resource impacts.