Winnebago County to pursue 12-month data center moratorium

Winnebago County, Wisconsin, is actively considering a 12-month moratorium on data center development, despite a lack of immediate proposals for such facilities within the county. County Executive Gordon Hintz is spearheading the initiative, aiming to provide the county with time to develop comprehensive and deliberate regulations for data center projects. He presented the idea during his executive report, framing it as a development moratorium under Chapter 66 of state law.

However, the proposal faces internal disagreement, with District 24 Supervisor Andy Buck expressing opposition and suggesting alternative solutions for mutual benefit. Furthermore, the legality of a county-level development moratorium has been questioned by the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Senior legislative analyst Richard Loeza clarified that while counties can enact various moratoriums, they are legally restricted from implementing "development moratoriums" as defined by Chapter 66, which applies solely to municipalities.

The article notes that Manitowoc County successfully passed a data center moratorium using specific language, implying a pathway exists. If enacted, Winnebago County's moratorium would initially apply to four towns: Nekimi, Neenah, Omro, and Algoma, due to varying county zoning jurisdictions. Hintz plans to engage other Winnebago County municipalities to explore passing a uniform measure. The proposed moratorium is slated for discussion by the county's Planning and Zoning Committee in July, after which it would proceed to the County Board for a final decision.