Plan Commission recommends 12-month moratorium on new data centers while staff studies impacts
Summary
The Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval of zoning text amendments to establish a 12-month temporary moratorium on new data center development while the city defines 'data center' in the zoning ordinance and studies potential code and utility implications.
The Oshkosh Plan Commission on Aug. 25 recommended that the Common Council adopt zoning text amendments to impose a temporary 12-month moratorium on new data center development while staff studies impacts and considers whether changes to the zoning code, comprehensive plan, or utility planning are needed.
A city staff presenter said the Common Council had approved a resolution directing staff to prepare the ordinance changes and that the city’s zoning code currently lacks a clear definition or review standard for data centers. "So staff is proposing these amendments, to add temporary moratorium on data centers, add the definition of data center, add declaration of moratorium for data centers, and add purpose and duration of moratorium for data centers, with the moratorium being 12 months," the staff member said. Staff recommended approval of the proposed text amendments to allow time for evaluation of impacts.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing. The commission voted 7-0 to recommend adoption of the amendments; the recommendation will be forwarded to the Common Council for final action. Staff indicated the moratorium is intended to provide time for study and potential code updates rather than to be a permanent ban.
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