Sheboygan data center moratorium considered; what you need to know

Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is considering a one-year moratorium on new permits and approvals for large data centers, defined as facilities over 10,000 square feet that are the principal and primary use. The proposed moratorium aims to provide the city with sufficient time to establish reasonable regulations for data center development and to adapt to anticipated changes in state law. The Sheboygan Common Council voted 7-3 to advance the proposal to the City Plan Commission for review. The commission is scheduled to meet on May 12, after which the proposal will return to the Common Council for a final decision. Opponents have voiced concerns about potential loopholes, suggesting that companies might try to circumvent the moratorium by splitting projects or re-labeling facilities. Alderman Joseph Heidemann noted that the council has primarily heard arguments in favor of a moratorium without adequate discussion of potential benefits. While there are no current public plans for a data center in Sheboygan, the city's draft comprehensive plan suggests significant growth in industrial manufacturing. A state-level bill in Wisconsin to place new restrictions on data centers recently failed in the Senate.