Cottage Grove pauses data center development with one-year moratorium
The Cottage Grove Plan Commission has approved a one-year moratorium on new data center development. This pause allows commission members to gather more information due to concerns about potential economic and environmental impacts, including noise and resource usage. The commission will have the option to extend the moratorium by six months next year.
The Cottage Grove Plan Commission in Wisconsin has enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center development. The vote to approve the moratorium took place on Wednesday, stemming from commission members' desire for more information before considering future projects.
Concerns were raised regarding the potential economic and environmental impacts of data centers, specifically mentioning effects on local resources and noise pollution. Commission member Don Brinkmeier expressed that he would not want a data center near a residential area due to anticipated noise. A local resident, Barbara, supported the moratorium, citing information about data centers potentially being harmful to the community through noise, pollution, and resource consumption. The Plan Commission retains the option to extend the moratorium for an additional six months next year.