September 17, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commiittee

Waupaca County Planning and Zoning Committee meeting and public hearing, September 17, 2026, considered proposed amendments to Chapter 34 of the county zoning ordinance concerning data centers, anaerobic digesters, solar farms, and battery energy storage. Staff described proposed definitions, zoning districts and permit processes, site and operations plans, testing requirements for digesters, and emergency planning for battery systems. The committee approved the August 6 minutes and closed the public hearing after receiving extensive testimony. Speakers raised concerns about local control, farmland preservation, environmental and health impacts, water use, traffic, fire safety, setbacks, testing, and decommissioning; others supported updating rules to reflect current technology and said project impacts should be assessed using evidence and applicable regulations. One speaker requested a data-center development moratorium, but the chair noted it was not on the agenda.

The committee voted to approve several portions of the proposed ordinance amendments, including the data-center provisions, solar/battery-related provisions, and additional sections identified during the meeting. Members discussed whether towns should retain greater authority over siting and whether further work or a moratorium was needed. The transcript indicates that digesters and other unresolved issues were left for consideration at a future meeting. No contracts, vendor selections, budget allocations, or other procurement activity were identified.