City of Wisconsin Rapids approves data center moratorium

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – In an Oct. 5 vote, the Wisconsin Rapids Common Council approved a citywide moratorium halting data center developments and applications for up to 12 months.
The decision followed a series of three public hearings hosted earlier that day by the city’s Planning Commission. During these hearings, local residents voiced their support for the measure, urging city leaders to address potential impacts associated with data center projects.
Members of the Planning Commission voted unanimously to support every proposed action, which included establishing the temporary development ban, updating local zoning ordinances and creating a dedicated data center overlay district. Immediately afterward, the Common Council convened for a special meeting and passed all of the Planning Commission’s recommendations unanimously.
Throughout the multi-month pause, the city plans to carry out infrastructure evaluations, establish a comprehensive regulatory framework and update relevant codes to protect ratepayer equity, public health and safety.
Under previous municipal rules, data center projects could proceed within the Heavy Industrial District by securing conditional use permits, as temporary development bans solely halt land divisions and rezoning requests.

Prior to the moratorium, PNK Group shared a statement:
“PNK Group respects the time residents, City staff and members of the Planning Commission have devoted to reviewing the proposed redevelopment of the former paper mill property. We understand that this project raises important questions and that the community expects clear, complete and consistent information.
“We disagree with the conclusion that the project record was insufficient to move forward. PNK Group submitted the responses to all City staff queries well before the decision was made. Those later materials were not incorporated into the written staff review.
“To make the full record easier to evaluate, PNK has consolidated its Conditional Use Permit (CUP) materials, prior responses and additional supporting information into one updated package. PNK has also submitted site-plan materials reflecting the project’s current design. We are providing a cross-reference showing where each City question is addressed and will continue to clarify any item the City believes remains unresolved.
“The Planning Commission’s September 16 vote was a recommendation to the Common Council, which has authority to act on the CUP. PNK is asking the City to review the consolidated record before making a final decision. We also remain available for a technical working session with City staff and will make non-confidential supporting materials available to the public.
“PNK will continue to seek a fair review based on the complete project record while preserving all rights and options available under the applicable process.”
When PNK Group presented its plan for a data center alongside former New York Mayor Eric Adams in August, residents responded largely with animosity.