City of Milwaukee - File #: 251924

• File #: 251924
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: In Committee
• File created: 3/3/2026
• In control: ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
• Title: A substitute ordinance relating to a temporary pause in the establishment and development of data centers.
• Sponsors: ALD. DIMITRIJEVIC, ALD. BROWER, ALD. STAMPER, ALD. BAUMAN

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
7/31/2026	1	ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE	REFERRED TO
7/31/2026	1	ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE	REFERRED TO
7/28/2026	1	ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: Appearing: Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic, 14th Ald. Dist. David Gelting, LRB Joseph Dobbs, City Attorney's Office Evan Goyke, City Attorney Ald. Mark Brower, 3rd Ald. Dist. Tanya Fonseca, DCD Ald. Mark Chambers, Jr., 2nd Ald. Dist. This ordinance prohibits the acceptance of application materials related to the establishment and development of data centers for 1 year, or until the zoning code is amended to define and regulate data centers. There was discussion on the intent of the file, memoratorium legislation implemented elsewhere, legal public hearing notice requirement, timing of the legislation, and future scheduling of the file. Public testimony in support: Molly Collins, American Lung Association Advocacy Director Samantha Doucas, Party for Socialism and Liberation Melody McCurtis, Metcalfe Park Community Bridges	Pass	5:0
7/17/2026	1	CITY CLERK	DRAFT SUBMITTED
3/24/2026	1	ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE	REFERRED TO
3/24/2026	1	ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE	REFERRED TO
3/3/2026	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number
251924
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
260142
Sponsor
ALD. DIMITRIJEVIC, BROWER, AND STAMPER
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to a temporary pause in the establishment and development of data centers.
Section

Analysis
This ordinance prohibits the acceptance of application materials related to the establishment and development of data centers for 1 year, or until the zoning code is amended to define and regulate data centers.

Body
Whereas, The Common Council finds that the unprecedented proliferation of data centers poses new and unique challenges to communities, including impacts to energy and water infrastructure, the environment, and the public health, safety, and welfare; and

Whereas, Cities and states across the country are struggling to determine how to regulate this new and unique land use; and

Whereas, The current Zoning Code for the City of Milwaukee does not specifically regulate this land use; and

Whereas, The Common Council intends for data centers to exist in harmony with the City’s existing Citywide Policy Plan, including the Climate and Equity Plan; and

Whereas, Common Council File Number 260142 is intended to amend the City’s Zoning Code to establish a regulatory framework for data centers; and

Whereas, It is therefore appropriate to temporarily prohibit the building of new data centers until such a time as the City’s Zoning Code is amended to accommodate this new type of land use; now, therefore

The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:

Part 1.

In this ordinance, “data center” means a facility, other than a transmission tower, used primarily to operate, maintain, or provide access to computer and network facilities for the transmission of voice, data, text, internet, sound, or full-motion-picture video between network termination points, together with accessory uses and facilities such as offices, air handlers, power generators, generator fuel storage, water cooling and storag...