Sawyer County zoning committee backs public hearing to explore 18‑month moratorium on large data centers

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee on June 10 voted to pursue public‑hearing language for an 18‑month moratorium on large data‑center development so staff and legal counsel can draft clearer ordinance language.

Zoning Administrator Jay Kozlowski outlined definitional concerns: the term "data center" in draft ordinance language could unintentionally include small network hubs or utility cabinets that counties have permitted as conditional uses. He told the committee that without clearer thresholds (for example, minimum square footage or functional criteria) the ordinance could have unintended consequences.

County legal counsel Rebecca cautioned the committee that counties have limited statutory authority under Chapters 59 and 66 and that some regulatory levers (for example, directly limiting energy consumption) are unlikely to withstand legal challenge unless tightly linked to siting impacts or public‑safety concerns. Counsel recommended careful drafting and pointed to examples from other states and Wisconsin municipalities for factual context.

Residents including Linda Zilmer and others supported an extended moratorium period (suggestions ranged from 18 to 24 months) to allow adequate drafting time and review; the committee discussed excluding small communication network hubs from any moratorium so routine communications infrastructure would not be blocked. The committee moved and approved language to develop a moratorium ordinance and hold a July public hearing so towns and other stakeholders can weigh in.

Staff and counsel will draft moratorium language, coordinate town outreach, and publish notices required for a proper public‑hearing process; timing and final legal form will reflect counsel’s guidance on statutory constraints.