Dunn County adopts 12-month moratorium on data centers, solar and battery facilities; approves water-depot CUP

Dunn County commissioners on March 18 adopted a 12-month moratorium on data centers, solar energy and battery facilities and approved local planning items presented by the Planning and Zoning office.

Planning and Zoning requested a moratorium to give staff time to revise ordinances; Commissioner Pelton moved to accept the moratorium for up to one year, Commissioner Kleemann seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. County staff said the moratorium is intended to pause new permitting for those facility types while ordinances are updated.

The board also approved Conditional Use Permit #01-2026 for a water depot (a single pond under 50 acre-feet) on property owned by the Ecker Family Living Trust; the property is zoned Rural Preservation. The motion to accept the CUP was made by Commissioner Heiser and seconded by Commissioner Pelton and carried unanimously.

Representatives of XTO Energy discussed section line encroachments; Kevin Anderson stated no structures sit on the section line itself. The board approved the encroachments as presented (motion by Pelton, seconded by Olson).

Next steps: Planning staff will proceed with ordinance updates during the moratorium period and will provide draft ordinance language for commissioners’ review.