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Committee backs temporary moratorium on battery energy storage permits while zoning language is revised
Summary
Kenosha County’s PDEEC voted unanimously June 10 to recommend an ordinance imposing a temporary moratorium on permitting battery energy storage systems while staff updates the county zoning ordinance; two residents spoke in opposition to a local BESS proposal during public comment.
The Kenosha County Planning, Development & Extension Education Committee voted unanimously June 10 to approve and recommend an ordinance instituting a temporary moratorium on the consideration or issuance of building permits, conditional use permits and zoning approvals for battery energy storage systems (BESS) while staff updates the county zoning ordinance to address these systems.
Division Director Andy M. Buehler presented the proposed ordinance and noted that a similar resolution had already been adopted by the County Board on May 19. The committee accepted withdrawal of the duplicate resolution at staff request and then voted to recommend the ordinance directing a temporary pause on new BESS approvals until an amended zoning ordinance is in place.
Two residents, Jenny Moorhouse and Kathy Denko of Wheatland, spoke during the public comment period to express opposition to a recent BESS application before the Town of Wheatland, saying they objected to siting and associated impacts. Committee members thanked the speakers and said staff review of BESS zoning was important. Buehler told the committee one conditional use permit application for a battery energy storage system had been received and would be on the July 8, 2026 meeting agenda.
Supervisor Sarah Kirby moved to accept the withdrawal of the resolution and to approve recommending the ordinance; Supervisor Jeff Cologna seconded. Both motions passed unanimously by members present, including Youth In Governance representatives.
The ordinance sends a policy direction to the County Board and to staff to complete zoning ordinance language that would govern BESS siting and permitting. The committee did not adopt permanent standards at the June 10 meeting; rather, it recommended a temporary moratorium while staff drafts and the County Board considers ordinance changes.
