Linn County Approves Data Center Ordinance

The Linn County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve the data center ordinance for unincorporated Linn County. 

The new ordinance creates new zoning rules for both small and large data centers to operate in unincorporated areas of Linn County. These rules cover things like building setbacks, noise limits, traffic and road impacts, emergency planning, and site plan review. Linn County’s jurisdiction for a data center ordinance covers unincorporated Linn County only – it does not cover data centers that operate within a city’s boundaries.

For large data center projects, the proposal adds extra requirements to address long-term impacts on roads, utilities, and natural resources – especially water use. Large projects would need to complete the following:

• Complete a water study during the planning process to show there is enough water for the project and to explain how it could affect current water users, groundwater, and surface water. The study will describe where the water will come from, how much water is expected to be used, how the facility will be cooled, how water use will be made efficient, how reliable the system is, and what plans are in place if water supplies are interrupted.
• Sign a Water Use Agreement with Linn County explaining how the County and the data center will work together on water use. It includes tracking and reporting water use, sharing information, making sure rules are followed, and steps to take during droughts, emergencies, or other water shortages. The agreement allows for increased coordination between water use permitting agencies.
• Sign an Economic Development Agreement explaining how the County and the developer will work together, what incentives may be offered, and how the project will give back to the community. The agreement must include a community fund to support things like infrastructure, services, environmental protection, and workforce development, and may include a plan to protect nearby property values.

“To the best of our ability, with the help of our staff and outside consultants, we have done our due diligence and learned from other communities to develop this ordinance for unincorporated Linn County. While some jurisdictions treat data centers as standard business development, we made a deliberate decision to take a different approach and adopt a strong, comprehensive ordinance,” said Linn County Supervisor Chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt. “I want to thank the members of the public who provided input and attended meetings – their feedback helped shape amendments to better reflect community concerns. This ordinance applies specifically to data centers within our jurisdiction in unincorporated Linn County. We are proud of the collaboration, transparency, and hard work that went into creating one of the most comprehensive data center ordinances in the State of Iowa.”

“This ordinance is likely the most comprehensive data center ordinance a local government has proposed in Iowa, and I’m proud of the work our staff and our community have put into it,” said Linn County District 2 Supervisor Sami Scheetz. “Over 100 residents attended our first reading in Palo, and their input helped shape the final product. We’ve addressed the issues our residents care about most – water use, noise, setbacks, and making sure these companies give back to the communities they operate in. At the same time, data center projects create generational wealth for our union construction workers and deliver real economic benefits across the region. This ordinance strikes the right balance: welcoming responsible development while protecting the people and resources of Linn County.”

“I want to make sure our residents understand that this ordinance applies only to data centers that may choose to locate in unincorporated Linn County. Facilities currently under construction within city limits are outside the County’s jurisdiction,” said Linn County District 3 Supervisor Brandy Z. Meisheid. “Putting strong guardrails in place now is the best way to protect taxpayers before proposals come forward. This ordinance establishes that framework and ensures any future applicants must work collaboratively with the County through detailed plans and binding agreements, including Water Use Agreements, Economic Development Agreements, lighting plans, waste management plans, and Road Use Agreements, all designed to protect our taxpayers.”

image courtesy of Linn County