JANESVILLE — The Janesville City Council on Monday voted unanimously to enact a one-year moratorium on data centers within the city.
The ordinance comes as residents are preparing for a November referendum that if approved, would allow voters a say in any future major developments in the city, including data centers.
According to a staff memo accompanying the ordinance, the moratorium would pause the acceptance, processing, review and approval of any application related to the development of a data center, including rezoning of property, permits, action taken on annexation requests, or other development approvals.
During the moratorium, city staff would not solicit or actively encourage data center development, nor enter nondisclosure agreements related to such development projects.
The purpose of the moratorium is to allow sufficient time to research environmental, economic, health, safety and land-use compatibility impacts; continue preparation of zoning code review, processes, and specific development standards for data center projects.
It also would allow time for city staff to complete and the council to consider the Data Center Companion Ordinance.