Oneida County panel unanimously backs one-year moratorium on data centers

The Oneida County Planning & Development Committee voted unanimously April 29 to impose a one-year moratorium on data centers in county zoning districts. Bob Almekinder moved the measure, and Michael Tautges seconded; all members present voted aye.

Planning & Zoning Director Karl Jennrich presented staff findings and led discussion about possible zoning placements for data centers. After conferring with Jennrich, the committee approved the moratorium by formal motion. The meeting record states: "Motion by Bob Almekinder, second by Michael Tautges, to put a one (1) year moratorium on data centers. With all members present voting 'Aye,' the motion carried."

The transcript of the meeting does not specify the moratorium's effective date, the detailed geographic or use-specific scope, or next administrative steps; those implementation details were not recorded at this meeting. No public comments on data centers are recorded in the meeting minutes. The committee did not vote on an ordinance text during this session, only on the moratorium motion as recorded.

The committee's action will pause new data center permitting under county zoning while staff and members define the moratorium's scope and any follow-up ordinance or resolution. The committee set additional departmental business for later in the meeting but did not provide a timeline for drafting or public review of any moratorium language.