Overview
- The commission voted unanimously to recommend a moratorium on new data or telecommunications centers 10,000 square feet or larger.
- The recommendation now heads to the Common Council, which is slated to take up the item Tuesday evening.
- If adopted, the pause would last up to 12 months from council approval and could end earlier if updated rules are enacted.
- Planning staff say the break would allow the city to define data centers in code and set siting standards to manage energy and water demands.
- The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce opposed the duration and asked for referral to the Economic Development Committee, while the proposal has support from the mayor and several alders.