Linn County Supervisors Enact Data Center Moratorium
The Linn County Board of Supervisors voted 2-1 to enact an 18-month moratorium on new data center rezoning applications. This temporary halt allows the county to study the impacts of large-scale data centers on local resources and infrastructure. The decision followed a public meeting where concerned residents expressed their opposition.
The Linn County Board of Supervisors has passed a resolution, with a 2-1 vote, to implement an 18-month moratorium on accepting new applications for rezoning properties for large-scale data centers. This temporary measure took effect immediately following the vote and will last until January 1, 2028.
The decision was made after a public meeting saw a significant turnout of concerned residents who voiced their opposition and advocated for the moratorium. The pause is intended to provide the county with time to thoroughly assess the potential impacts of data centers on local resources and to determine their necessity within the county.
During this moratorium period, Linn County plans to evaluate various aspects, including infrastructure, emergency response capabilities, transportation systems, and long-range land use planning. The article also notes that nearby cities, Dubuque and Peosta, have similar data center moratoriums already in place.