Janesville City Council to Consider 12-Month Data Center Moratorium
The Janesville City Council is set to consider a proposed one-year moratorium on data center development within the city. This pause would allow staff to research environmental, economic, and land-use impacts, and to prepare new zoning code standards for data center projects.
The Janesville City Council is expected to introduce a proposed ordinance for a one-year moratorium on data center development at its upcoming Monday meeting. If the first reading of the ordinance is approved, the council plans to hold a public hearing and eventually vote on the measure.
The moratorium aims to halt the acceptance, processing, review, and approval of all applications related to data center development, including rezoning requests, permits, and annexation actions. During this period, city staff would also refrain from soliciting or encouraging new data center projects.
The stated purpose of the moratorium is to provide sufficient time for city staff to conduct thorough research into the environmental, economic, health, safety, and land-use compatibility impacts of data centers. It will also allow for the preparation of a comprehensive zoning code review, the development of specific standards for data center projects, and the completion of a Data Center Companion Ordinance for the council's consideration.