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Kenosha County board adopts temporary moratorium on battery energy storage system permits
Summary
The Kenosha County Board voted May 19 to adopt a temporary moratorium on issuing building permits, conditional use permits and zoning approvals for battery energy storage systems while officials update the county zoning ordinance; the measure was advanced after public comments and passed by roll call.
The Kenosha County Board on May 19 adopted a temporary moratorium on the consideration and issuance of building permits, conditional use permits and zoning approvals for battery energy storage systems while the county updates its zoning ordinance.
The moratorium originated as Communication 9 from Andy Buehler and was brought directly to the full board. Supervisor Gray moved to suspend the rules and consider the communication as Resolution 6 that evening; Supervisor Decker seconded. The motion to suspend the rules passed on a roll call vote, 21-1, with Supervisor Nudo voting Nay. The subsequent roll call vote to approve Resolution 6 passed 22-0.
Several members of the public spoke in favor of a moratorium during the Citizen Comments period, including Nora Boss, Adam Tobias and Mike Windler. The public commenters urged the county to pause permitting while officials craft zoning language intended to protect public health, safety and welfare.
The vote redirected the item from the Planning, Development & Extension Education Committee to full board action for immediate consideration. The resolution’s text and the timeline for drafting an amended zoning ordinance were not included in the meeting transcript; the board did not specify in the record when the temporary moratorium will expire or the exact timetable for staff to return with ordinance language.
Next steps indicated in the meeting record: the board adopted the moratorium and will consider ordinance amendments to address battery energy storage systems. The transcript does not specify required staff assignments, reporting deadlines, or the legal definition of systems covered by the moratorium.
