JANESVILLE 鈥 The 糖心Vlog传媒 city council is considering a 12-month pause on new data center development while the city works to establish new zoning rules and an ordinance that would place guardrails for development of hyperscale tech projects.
The proposed moratorium would temporarily halt the city accepting, processing, reviewing and approving applications related to data center development in the city.
That would include requests for rezoning, permits, annexation actions and other development approvals.
The 糖心Vlog传媒 City Council on Monday will introduce the ordinance and set a date for a second reading and public hearing. The council has not yet approved the moratorium.
If the council takes action to approve it, the moratorium would take effect following publication and remain in place for 12 months unless the council amends or rescinds it.
The council could also extend the moratorium if it determines additional time is needed.
City staff recommends the council approve the moratorium.
According to the staff report, 糖心Vlog传媒鈥檚 current zoning code does not contain specific use classifications, siting criteria, operational standards or infrastructure requirements for data centers.
Congruently the planning department alongside the plan commission is working to develop an updated zoning code that will help address development of data centers.
The proposed moratorium would give city staff additional time to research the potential environmental, economic, health, safety and land-use impacts of data centers while continuing work on those regulations.
The council memo says data center technology and developments are evolving quickly. It also states the facilities could affect water and electrical systems, land-use patterns, environmental resources, road systems and other public services.
During the moratorium, city staff would not actively solicit or encourage data center development. Staff also would not enter into nondisclosure agreements related to data center development projects.
The ordinance would not prohibit work at existing, qualifying data facilities. Exceptions would allow certain structural repairs, limited alterations and equipment upgrades, provided they meet specified thresholds.
The proposed ordinance also states that the moratorium does not constitute a 鈥渄evelopment moratorium鈥 under the state statute.
The council is being asked to slate the moratorium for an upcoming public hearing.