Council Unanimously Approves Data Center Moratorium
The Milwaukee Common Council unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data center construction and expansions while the city develops permanent zoning and regulatory rules. The moratorium addresses potential noise, energy, water and air-quality impacts, while allowing project-specific zoning requests to proceed through public review.
The Milwaukee Common Council voted 13-0 to impose a one-year moratorium on new data center development and expansions. The pause will remain in effect until one year passes or permanent regulations are adopted, with state law allowing a possible six-month extension. The Department of City Development will develop rules addressing noise, energy consumption, water use and air quality.
Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic sponsored the measure, which Mayor Cavalier Johnson supports. Supporters cited environmental and neighborhood concerns, while the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Building Advantage warned that the moratorium could reduce investment, jobs and tax revenue. The action follows opposition that led developers to remove a proposed 19,000-square-foot data center from a Midtown Center redevelopment plan; larger Microsoft and Vantage Data Centers projects are advancing elsewhere in southeastern Wisconsin.