Milwaukee advances data center moratorium
Milwaukee's Plan Commission unanimously advanced a 12-month moratorium on new data center development to allow the city to establish new zoning regulations. Concurrently, De Pere is also considering a similar one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers, driven by concerns over energy and water consumption, noise, and economic impacts across Wisconsin.
Milwaukee's Plan Commission has unanimously advanced a temporary moratorium of up to 12 months on new data center development, aiming to provide city officials with time to establish comprehensive zoning regulations. The proposed rules would ban data centers exceeding 60,000 square feet and mandate additional review for facilities between 20,000 and 60,000 square feet. Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, a co-sponsor, highlighted the need for stronger protections due to the rapid pace of data center development, noting current zoning code lacks sufficient safeguards for residents.
The moratorium responds to increasing public concern regarding data centers' high energy and water consumption, noise pollution, and neighborhood impacts. This backlash previously led to a 19,000-square-foot data center being removed from a redevelopment plan in Midtown Center. While business groups, such as the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, warn that such restrictions could impede economic growth, existing data center operators like Data Holdings, owned by the Forest County Potawatomi tribe, have voiced support for the pause, emphasizing environmental concerns and noise reduction efforts.
The resolution still requires review by the Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee on October 6th and is expected to go before the Common Council on October 13th. The city's Department of City Development has recommended approval with minor clarifying changes. Separately, De Pere's Plan Commission also endorsed a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers, defined as those using over 300,000 gallons of water daily or exceeding 50,000 square feet, citing concerns about water supply strain and the need for regulatory frameworks.
De Pere Mayor James Boyd, while not anti-technology or growth, has called for the state Legislature to take responsibility for data center regulation, lamenting piecemeal municipal legislation. This reflects a broader trend, as twelve other towns and villages in Brown County currently disallow data centers, with more jurisdictions considering similar measures.