Data center ordinance gives Wisconsin Rapids more control

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFHR / WIRI) – Tensions are running high in Wisconsin Rapids over the possibility of a data center being built on the old Kraft Mill site. Several meetings and illustrious guests have visited the area in recent weeks to bring attention to the issue and educate the public on data centers. 

Conversations center on what can be done to prevent a data center from being built. Alternately, if one is, what the city can do to make it a benefit to the area, not a detriment. The South Wood County Neighbors for Responsible Development is a newly formed group in the area. They’re holding pop up events and meetings to help educate residents. 

Wisconsin Rapids’ new ordinance

The Wisconsin Rapids Common Council passed an ordinance targeting data centers at their meeting in April. 

Alderperson Madalyn Palmquist spoke with WFHR’s Melissa Kaye to explain what the ordinance accomplishes. 

“ The ordinance that the council passed, it adds to the zoning code on what is permitted in each area. So similar to businesses, it puts restrictions on what a data center could do in an area, where that could exactly be,” explains Palmquist. “It gives the Planning Commission a little more control over approving if one goes in or if one doesn’t. So they allow for conditions to go on each of the permits.”

New ordinance puts guidelines in place

Palmquist explains a data center will now be required to have approval from the electric utility company. They’ll also have to comply with water usage requirements on the local state and federal level.

“It gives a rough outline of where it can go instead of what we had before, which was no ordinance,” she said. 

Palmquist says without an ordinance, a data center could just buy industrial land and move in and there’s not much if anything the city could do to stop it.

“ The ordinance in place gives the council and the planning commission more control and protection over where data centers go and what they’re allowed to do within the city.”

Public hearing deferred

The City chose to delay the public hearing on the data center in Wisconsin Rapids scheduled in early May. According to a press release, they postponed any action on the data center conditional use permit (CUP) request.

A listening session will be scheduled to support meaningful communication between the City and the community. The date and time will be published on the City’s website.