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Oshkosh council directs staff to draft temporary moratorium and regional study on data centers
Summary
The Oshkosh Common Council voted to direct staff to draft a zoning text amendment establishing a 12-month pause on new large-scale data center development, study potential local impacts and coordinate a regional policy approach with Winnebago County and regional planners.
The Oshkosh Common Council on July 14 directed city staff to prepare a zoning text amendment to create a temporary, 12-month moratorium on new large-scale data center development and to study the potential environmental and community impacts before any new approvals are considered.
Councilmember Lefebvre, who authored the resolution, said the measure is a pause to give the city time to evaluate impacts rather than an outright ban. "Simply put, this resolution does three things," he said, asking the council to "temporarily pausing new data center development for 12 months," direct staff to study existing policies and return recommendations, and begin a collaborative process with Winnebago County and neighboring municipalities toward a coordinated regional policy framework.
Residents urged the council to act. Lisa Sell told the council, "Please do not allow data centers to be in or around Oshkosh," citing concerns about water use, noise and long-term land use. Teresa Moca, another speaker, urged a deliberate approach: "A temporary moratorium is not a rejection of innovation. It is a moment to pause, gather information, and create thoughtful standards." Blong Yang said protecting regional water resources was a priority for residents.
City manager Grill told the council staff had no formal data-center applications on file and that only a speculative inquiry had been received earlier in the year. Lefebvre said the study could begin immediately and that passage tonight would direct staff to prepare the ordinance and take it through the Plan Commission process for council consideration within 60 days.
Councilmembers framed the step as precautionary. Supporters pointed to examples elsewhere in Wisconsin where communities have raised issues about noise, generator emissions and water impacts. Lefebvre said a petition supporting the study already carried more than 1,500 signatures.
The council also amended the resolution to direct staff to collaborate with the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission as part of the regional review and returned the amended measure to staff for follow-up work. The formal ordinance and any moratorium would require a separate decision after staff completes the plan commission process and public input.
