Brown County committee tables data center discussion, community urges step forward
Brown County's Planning, Development & Transportation Committee tabled a discussion on a countywide data center moratorium. This decision comes despite community members urging the county to take action against data center developments. The lack of countywide zoning in Brown County complicates the implementation of such a moratorium, unlike Manitowoc County which recently enacted one.
Brown County's Planning, Development & Transportation Committee recently tabled a discussion on implementing a countywide data center moratorium, a move that prompted calls for action from community members.
Residents like Katrina DeVille and Holly Buell-Nowakowski expressed their love for Brown County and urged officials to protect the community from what they perceive as companies taking advantage of small towns. This discussion follows Manitowoc County's decision in April to pass a data center moratorium. However, Brown County faces unique challenges as it lacks countywide zoning, meaning cities, villages, and towns within the county retain control over such decisions. State law also requires clarification on whether a "data center moratorium" qualifies as a "development moratorium," which would affect the county's ability to enact one.
Tricia Braun, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Data Center Coalition, cautioned local governments on using moratoriums, suggesting they are beneficial for creating ordinances or researching zoning changes but can risk future economic development if solely used to halt projects.
Brown County Board Supervisors Dan Theno and Christopher Welch plan to engage with local municipalities to explore a framework for protections. Theno indicated that a statewide standard for data centers might be the ultimate solution.