CARPC has begun receiving questions and comments from community members about a potential amendment to the Northern Urban Service Area for a proposed data center development on land currently in the Town of Vienna. We appreciate the public’s interest and want to share some helpful context about where things stand and how CARPC’s Urban Service Area Amendment process works.
Where Things Stand Today
The site of the proposed data center is currently in the Town of Vienna but the applicant, QTS, is seeking annexation to the Village of DeForest. If the project moves forward, the Village of DeForest would be the applicant for an expansion of the Urban Service Area.
As of January 2026, CARPC has not received an application from the Village of DeForest to amend the Northern Urban Service Area. We anticipate any application to be submitted no earlier than March 2026.
While no formal request is under review, we are still saving all public comments we receive so they can be included in the record if an application is submitted in the future.
What is an Urban Service Area?
The Urban Service Area identifies lands in and around existing communities where public services—like sewer and water—can be provided, making them the most suitable locations for development.
Urban Service Area (USA) boundaries show the outer limits of planned urban growth and are amended to expand services as communities grow.
What Happens if DeForest Submits an Application?
If CARPC receives a USA amendment application, it would be reviewed through our standard process, which includes the following steps:
- Public Review & Comment: The proposal would be available for public review and comment for a minimum of 30 days. This allows residents, local governments, and other stakeholders to review the request and submit feedback.
- Staff Review & Analysis: CARPC staff would evaluate the proposal using our adopted Policies and Criteria. The review focuses on protecting surface water and groundwater, including an assessment of the community’s readiness to adequately collect and treat wastewater from the proposed development and whether stormwater management standards are met. Staff also identify which areas would be designated as environmental corridors.
- Public Hearing: CARPC would hold a public hearing after the minimum 30-day public comment period. Community members would be able to provide formal testimony.
- CARPC Commission Recommendation: The CARPC Commission would vote on a management letter to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) summarizing findings and recommending approval or denial. This typically occurs about 60 days after we receive a complete application.
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Decision: Wisconsin DNR staff review the application, CARPC’s technical analysis, public input collected throughout the process, and the management letter before issuing an administrative decision within 90 days of application submittal.
While CARPC provides a recommendation, the Wisconsin DNR has final decision-making authority.
Where the Urban Service Area Amendment Fits in the Overall Development Process
| Approval Process | Decision-Making Entity(s) | Approval Criteria | Public Input Opportunity |
| Annexation | DeForest Village Board | Requires a 2/3 majority. No statutory requirements compel approval – the Board has full discretion. |
Only if invited by Village |
| Comprehensive Plan Amendment | Recommended by DeForest Planning & Zoning Commission; approved by Village Board | The Village may approve or deny any future land use. | Public hearing with at least 30 days’ notice |
| Rezoning | Recommended by DeForest Planning & Zoning Commission; approved by Village Board | The proposed use should be approved if consistent with the comprehensive plan. | Public hearing at Planning & Zoning Commission meeting (typically with 2 weeks’ notice) |
| Urban Service Area Amendment | Recommended by CARPC; approved by Wisconsin DNR | Approved if water resources are shown to be protected. | Public hearing at a CARPC meeting (second Thursday of each month) with at least 30 days’ notice. |
| Sewerage District Annexation | Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Board of Commissioners | Sewerage district annexation will be approved if the Village has approved its own territory annexation and CARPC and DNR have approved expansion of the Urban Service Area. | Public hearing with at least 2 weeks’ notice |
| Land Division & Conditional Use Permit | Recommended by DeForest Planning & Zoning Commission; approved by Village Board | Land divisions must comply with Village ordinances. Conditional use permits are approved if there is substantial evidence that the use, with reasonable conditions, complies with the Village ordinance. | Public comments considered at Planning & Zoning and Village Board meetings. |
| Site Plan Review | DeForest Planning & Zoning Commission | Must comply with Village ordinances and any predevelopment agreement provisions. | Public comments considered at Planning & Zoning and Village Board meetings. |
| Development Permits (Building, Stormwater, Sewer Extension) | Village of DeForest, Wisconsin DNR, Capital Area RPC, Dane County | Must comply with applicable codes. | None |
Staying Informed
If an application is submitted, CARPC will share information about public comment opportunities, hearing dates, and how to participate on our website and Facebook.
