Welcome to Town of Turtle, Rock County! Welcome to Town of Turtle, Rock County!
A Message from Town Chairman Roger Anclam
Help Shape the Future of the Town of Turtle
Dear Town of Turtle Residents,
The Town of Turtle is taking an important step to give our community time to carefully study, research, and prepare for the potential impacts of large-scale development, including hyperscale data centers.
As part of that effort, the Town is enacting a moratorium on the development of hyperscale data centers. The purpose of the moratorium is not simply to pause development, but to provide the Town with an opportunity to do the work necessary to better understand these types of developments and determine what policies, regulations, and protections may be appropriate for our community going forward.
During this period, there will be substantial work to be done. The Town anticipates researching and evaluating issues that may be associated with data center development, which could include land use, zoning, infrastructure, roads, water resources, utilities, energy use, noise, environmental considerations, emergency services, public safety, taxation and the potential impacts on neighboring properties and the community as a whole.
The Town is also going to be reviewing and updating its Comprehensive Plan and examining existing Town ordinances and considering whether new or amended ordinances may be appropriate to address future development.
We Want Residents to Be Part of the Process
I am inviting Town of Turtle residents who are interested in these issues to participate in a Community Advisory Group.
The goal of this group is to bring residents into the process as the Town conducts its research and works through these important questions. Members will have opportunities to learn about the issues being studied, review information, share questions and concerns, and provide resident perspectives as the Town considers potential policies, ordinance changes, and future planning.
The work of the group may include:
- Participating in research and information-gathering related to hyperscale data centers;
- Learning about the potential community impacts associated with data center development;
- Reviewing information from experts, governmental agencies, developers, neighboring communities, and other sources;
- Identifying questions and issues that the Town should investigate further;
- Providing resident perspectives and feedback to the Town Board;
- Participating in discussions regarding potential zoning, land-use, and other regulatory considerations;
- Assisting with the review and update of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan;
- Reviewing existing Town ordinances and discussing areas where additional regulations or updates may be appropriate; and
- Helping the Town consider how future development can be planned and managed in a way that reflects the needs and interests of the Town of Turtle.
Interested in Participating?
If you would like to be included in the Community Advisory Group, please email the Town Clerk at: clerk@townofturtlewi.gov Please include your name, address, phone number, and email address. Your information will be added to the list of residents interested in participating, and you will receive additional information as opportunities for involvement are developed.
This is an opportunity for residents to be involved before decisions are made, while the Town is gathering information, studying the issues, and determining what may be appropriate for the future. This effort is in line with the Town Board’s recently adopted ordinance regarding citizen participation. The Board wants to encourage residents to be actively involved in the process and have a voice in shaping the future of the Town of Turtle.
I encourage any resident who has an interest in these issues and in the future of our community to consider becoming involved. Thank you for your interest in the Town of Turtle and for your willingness to participate in this important work.
Sincerely,
Roger Anclam
Town Chairperson
Recent Information Regarding the Lathers Road Bridge Project
The following information is being added to the Town's FAQ regarding the Lathers Road Bridge project in response to information received from Senator Mark Spreitzer's office. Constituents contacted the Senator's office with concerns about the project, including requests for additional public input and possible changes to the bridge design. Senator Spreitzer's office then contacted the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) on behalf of those constituents. The information below reflects the response provided to the Senator's office.
Was there an opportunity for public input on the Lathers Road Bridge project? Yes. According to information provided to Senator Mark Spreitzer's office by WisDOT, a Public Informational Meeting regarding the project was held on February 7, 2024, at the Town of Turtle Town Hall. Invitations were mailed directly to 33 property owners and 17 identified project stakeholders.
Why isn't another public meeting being held to discuss changing the bridge design? Residents contacted Senator Mark Spreitzer's office requesting additional public input and asking whether changes to the bridge design could still be considered. Senator Spreitzer's office raised those concerns with WisDOT on behalf of the constituents who contacted the office. According to the response provided to the Senator's office, WisDOT does not intend to reopen the project for another round of public input or hold an additional meeting regarding the bridge design. WisDOT explained that a public meeting had already been held as part of the project development process and that alternatives, including retaining the existing bridge, had previously been considered during project development and environmental review. In other words, the request for additional public discussion and possible changes was brought back to WisDOT after residents raised those concerns with the Senator's office. The response was that the project would not be reopened because the public-input and project-development process had already taken place and the project decisions had already been made, and because they believe the project had followed the environmental and historic-review process. WisDOT also indicated that significant changes at this stage could affect the project schedule and construction timeline and could create concerns regarding the project's federal funding. The Senator's office was further advised that Rock County did not wish to alter the project and wanted to proceed with the project as currently planned.
Who is responsible for the final bridge design? The Lathers Road Bridge project involves multiple agencies and funding requirements. Decisions regarding project development, environmental review, design, schedule, and federal funding are not made by the Town of Turtle alone.
Residents have expressed different opinions about the bridge and its appearance, and concerns about additional public input and possible design changes have been raised with the agencies involved. Those concerns were also brought to WisDOT through Senator Mark Spreitzer's office. Based on the response provided to the Senator's office, WisDOT does not intend to reopen the project for additional public input or reconsider the bridge design at this stage. The project has already gone through its public-input, alternative-review, and project-development process, and the agencies involved are proceeding with the project as currently planned.
Frequently Asked Questions – Potential Data Center Development
The Town of Turtle Clerk's Office has received an abundance of phone calls regarding a potential data center development. Many callers have similar questions, so we have compiled the following information to provide residents with accurate, up-to-date answers.
Has the Town of Turtle received an official proposal for a data center?
No. As of this time, the Town has not received an official development proposal, zoning application, or rezoning request from Panattoni or any other developer for a data center project.
Why isn't the Town holding a referendum on the proposed data center?
Wisconsin law does not authorize towns to hold advisory referenda on proposed development projects such as this one. In 2023, the Wisconsin Legislature enacted 2023 Wisconsin Act 12, which limits the subjects on which municipalities may conduct advisory referenda. Because this proposal does not fall within one of the limited exceptions established by state law, the Town does not have the legal authority to place the question on a town-wide advisory referendum.
What did the Town Board approve on July 8, 2026?
On July 8, 2026, the Town Board approved entering into a Cost Reimbursement Agreement with Panattoni, a developer that has expressed interest in a potential data center project within the Town.
The purpose of the agreement is to allow the Town to begin preparing for the possibility that a development proposal may be submitted in the future. This includes obtaining independent professional expertise and conducting research to better understand the potential impacts such a project could have on the Town, its residents, infrastructure, and services.
The agreement allows the Town to recover the costs of this work, including legal expenses incurred to date, from the developer rather than having those expenses paid by Town taxpayers.
Following the July 8 approval, Panattoni proposed changes to the agreement. The revised agreement was subsequently presented to the Town Board and was rejected by the Board. As a result, there is currently no Cost Reimbursement Agreement in effect between the Town of Rock and Panattoni.
Why is the Town taking action before receiving a formal proposal?
Preparing for the possibility of a large development proposal allows the Town to better understand the potential impacts on roads, utilities, emergency services, land use, traffic, environmental considerations, and other community resources before any decisions are made.
Wisconsin law requires the Town give due consideration to all applications that are submitted. By conducting research early, the Town can make informed decisions based on facts if a proposal is submitted for consideration.
Does the Cost Reimbursement Agreement obligate the Town to approve a project?
No.
The agreement does not commit the Town to approve any development, rezoning request, permit, or future application. It simply establishes a mechanism for reimbursing the Town for expenses incurred while evaluating a potential proposal.
The Town Board retains full authority to review any future applications in accordance with applicable laws, ordinances, and established review processes.
Is the Town Board already committed to approving a data center?
No.
The Town Board has not made any decision regarding whether a data center should or should not be approved. At this time, no formal proposal or zoning application has been submitted to the Town.
The Board's actions to date have been focused on ensuring that, if an application is received, the Town will have the information and professional expertise necessary to evaluate it thoroughly before any decisions are made.
Why did the Town enter into a Cost Reimbursement Agreement?
Large development proposals often require specialized technical review that exceeds the Town's normal operating budget.
The Cost Reimbursement Agreement helps ensure that these review costs are paid by the prospective developer rather than by Town taxpayers.
Who selects the consultants and experts that review a potential project?
The Town selects the professional consultants it determines are necessary to evaluate any future proposal.
Although the Cost Reimbursement Agreement provides for reimbursement of those expenses, the consultants work on behalf of the Town- not the developer- and are retained by the Town to provide independent professional expertise.
Have any zoning related applications been submitted?
No.
As of this time, the Town has not received any applications related to a data center.
If such an application is submitted in the future, it will follow the public review process required by law.
Will the public have an opportunity to comment?
Yes.
Public comments are welcome during Town Board meetings when a public comment period appears on the meeting agenda. Additional public hearings may also be required depending on the type of application submitted.
Meeting agendas are posted in accordance with Wisconsin's Open Meetings Law.
Why is there a time limit for public comments?
The Town Board establishes reasonable time limits for public comments to allow everyone who wishes to speak an equal opportunity while ensuring the Board can complete all scheduled business during the meeting.
The time limit applies equally to all speakers and is intended to promote an orderly and efficient meeting.
Can Town Board members sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) regarding a potential project?
Yes.
Where this may change in the near future, there is no Wisconsin state law or Town ordinance that generally prohibits elected Town Board members from signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Whether an NDA is appropriate or enforceable depends on its specific terms and the requirements of Wisconsin law, including applicable public records and open meetings laws.
This page will be updated as additional information becomes available.
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