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Committee discusses data centers as unclassified uses; seeks WCA guidance and July update
Summary
Planning staff told the committee that data centers are not listed as permitted or conditional uses in the county zoning ordinance and therefore are prohibited; staff noted the Wisconsin Counties Association is working on a moratorium-procedure template and several counties are adopting moratoria on similar uses.
Planning, Zoning and Solid Waste Administrator Pat Virtues advised the committee that data centers are not listed as a permitted or conditional use in the county zoning ordinance, and therefore unlisted uses are prohibited in the relevant districts. Virtues said the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) is developing guidance on moratorium procedures to promote consistency and reduce litigation, and noted that several counties are imposing moratoria on this kind of use.
Committee members did not take formal action but requested an update on this issue at the July 2026 meeting. The discussion focused on whether a county‑level moratorium or ordinance change is the appropriate next step and how to ensure due process and reduce litigation risk.
