Milwaukee proposes limits on new data centers
Milwaukee officials have proposed a new zoning ordinance that would ban data centers larger than 60,000 square feet and impose stricter regulations on smaller facilities. This proposal, which aims to increase transparency and public input, follows local residents' concerns over a planned computer processing facility in a redeveloped Walmart. The measure requires approval from the Common Council and Mayor.
Milwaukee officials are considering a new zoning proposal that would significantly restrict data center development within the city. The ordinance, proposed by council members Marina Dimitrijevic, Alex Brower, Russell Stamper, DiAndre Jackson, and Peter Burgelis, seeks to ban data centers exceeding 60,000 square feet. It would also implement stricter regulations for facilities between 20,000 and 60,000 square feet, requiring them to obtain special use approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals, and limit all data centers to industrial-light and industrial-heavy zoning districts.
This initiative emerged approximately one week after Milwaukee residents expressed concerns about a planned computer processing facility within a former Walmart redevelopment site at 5825 W. Hope Ave. Despite the timing, Alderman Mark Chambers, whose district includes the redevelopment, stated that the new zoning proposal would not impact the Walmart plans as they were submitted prior to the ordinance's filing. The proposed changes aim to distinguish data centers from general office uses, set parking requirements, and mandate cooling-system restrictions.
Lead sponsor Council Member Marina Dimitrijevic emphasized that the proposal is designed to enhance transparency and public involvement in data center considerations, prioritizing the input of potentially affected Milwaukee residents. The Zoning Code Technical Committee is scheduled to hold the first public review of the proposal on June 15 at City Hall. Final approval would be required from the Common Council and Mayor Cavalier Johnson.