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Zoning committee approves sending 18‑month data‑center moratorium to county board
Summary
The committee voted to forward a proposed 18‑month moratorium on permitting large data centers to the county board, citing need for research and model ordinances; legal counsel supported the temporary pause while staff drafts regulations.
The Sawyer County Zoning Committee voted to send a proposed temporary moratorium ordinance to the county board that would pause acceptance of applications for large data‑center projects for 18 months while staff researches regulatory options and towns are consulted.
Jay, the county zoning administrator, told the committee the moratorium would allow the county time to research definitions and draft appropriate code language, and it would not apply to smaller head‑end or network hub buildings. Andy Phillips, outside legal counsel, said a moratorium is a reasonable tool for the county to consider while it evaluates model ordinances and state developments.
During public comment, Linda Zilmer urged careful drafting and warned against the procedural shortcomings that occurred during an earlier solar moratorium process; she also suggested the moratorium should not automatically terminate upon adoption of a new ordinance without allowing time for potential appeals.
The committee voted to forward the moratorium to the county board for consideration. Staff will notify towns and circulate draft language and a summary to local officials ahead of the board meeting.
Next steps: the county board will consider the ordinance; town feedback and legal review will inform potential final language.
