More than five months after PNK Group first applied to build a data center in Wisconsin Rapids, the Common Council is set to make a decision on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
PNK Group applied on April 27 for a conditional use permit and site plan review for a data center on Fourth Avenue North. A public hearing first expected in May was postponed, with the city citing the project's industry, size and location and the need for careful planning.
City staff told PNK Group on May 21 that its application was incomplete and set an Aug. 19 deadline for the missing details, later extended to Aug. 26. City staff said the required details had not been provided by that extended deadline, and a staff report recommended denial, citing the delay, material that did not satisfy required zoning standards, inconsistencies across the submitted documents and high public concern.
After dozens of residents spoke at the Sept. 16 Planning Commission meeting, the commission voted to recommend denying both the conditional use permit and the site plan review. PNK Group said it disagrees with the conclusion that its record was insufficient, says it submitted responses to staff questions before decisions were made, and says it has since put together one consolidated, updated package with a cross-reference answering each city question. The company asked the city to review the complete record before a final decision and offered a technical working session with city staff.
The council meeting is at 6 p.m. on Oct. 20 at the Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School auditorium, 1921 27th Ave. S. In the meantime, the city has put a 12-month moratorium on data center development in place, starting Oct. 9, while it studies infrastructure and develops rules. The Oct. 20 vote still covers PNK Group's April application, which predates the moratorium.
If the council approves the applications with conditions, the project would move on to seek other required permits. If the council denies them, PNK Group could reapply only after the moratorium ends, under any new ordinances and requirements the city adopts during that period.
