DELAVAN — Although Delavan has fielded no proposals yet for a data center, the city council is working on a zoning amendment to get out in front of any possible future inquiries.
According to a statement released last week, the city recently issued a public hearing notice regarding a proposed zoning amendment related to data centers. The purpose of this amendment is to create a clear zoning category and establish appropriate local regulations for this type of land use.
The city council agenda packet will include the proposed language and will be posted to the city’s website when it is available, no later than the Friday before the meeting, according to Delavan City Clerk Andrea White.
The next city council meeting is set for 5 p.m. Monday, May 4, 2026.
As AI companies work to rapidly build out their data center infrastructure, local residents are pushing back over concerns related to the environment, water usage and the massive amounts of electricity required to operate the facilities.
“Data centers can have significant land use, utility, infrastructure, noise, and community impact considerations. By reviewing this issue now, the city is taking a thoughtful and responsible approach to protecting long-term planning interests, preserving appropriate development patterns, and ensuring that any future land use requests are evaluated under clear local standards,” the city said in a statement.
The approach is similar to that taken in the northern Wisconsin community of Kaukauna, which earlier this year adopted its own zoning amendments directed at any possible future data center proposals.
Among them, regulating water usage and electricity demands.
Here in the south central Wisconsin Stateline area, no fewer than three data center projects are in various stages of exploration.
The city of Janesville currently is working on a plan from data center developer Viridian Partners, however resident pushback has forced a referendum on the November ballot that, if approved, would require a local vote on any large-scale developments in the community.
Nearby, the town of Beloit and city of Rockford recently confirmed developers are exploring sites in their communities.