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Wausau Plan Commission adopts data-center zoning language, sends ordinance to City Council
Summary
The Plan Commission voted to amend the zoning code to define data centers and require conditional-use review with utility, sound, and sustainability studies; the change limits locations to industrial districts and will be forwarded to City Council on July 14.
The Wausau Plan Commission on June 16 approved proposed amendments to the city zoning code that would define data centers and require conditional-use permits and technical studies before such facilities can be located inside city limits. The commission voted to forward the ordinance language to City Council for consideration at its July 14 meeting.
Assistant Planner Carrie Edmonson told the commission the amendment would narrow where data centers could locate and give the city authority to request detailed materials from applicants, including water-consumption and thermal-management reports, wastewater management plans, a sound study, a sustainability plan and, where appropriate, traffic analyses. "This does enable us to do a thorough analysis of a proposal and determine if it would be the right fit for the city of Wausau," Edmonson said.
Public commenters urged caution. Mary Clouse asked the commission to work with the city's sustainability, energy and environment committee and to hold well-publicized public discussions before adopting regulations. "Please take your time," she said, urging the commission to consider regional impacts on water and energy.
Other residents warned about potential impacts from large AI-training facilities, including noise, increased electricity demand and water usage. Lars Bjerke Tail said zoning should not "leave the door open" to mega-centers and urged protections and scale limits. Commission members discussed options for stricter limits — including allowing data centers only in heavy-industrial districts — but ultimately approved the amendment language that ties review to conditional-use standards.
The ordinance does not automatically permit any particular project; instead it provides a framework so the city can require site-specific studies and deny proposals that cannot demonstrate compatibility. Commission members said the approach gives the city greater oversight while the technology and state law continue to evolve.
The amendment passed on a commission vote and will be considered by City Council on July 14. The planning staff said the measure is designed to be iterative and likely will be revisited as technology, state law and local experience develop.
