Clinton data center ordinance to be considered Tuesday by City Council
The Clinton City Council in Iowa is set to consider a controversial new ordinance that would regulate data center development, driven by QTS's interest in building a large hyperscale data center in the city. The proposed ordinance has faced significant public resistance from a local group, Clintonians Against Data Centers, who seek more restrictive regulations. The Plan Commission has recommended approval of the ordinance with some changes.
The Clinton City Council in Iowa is scheduled to consider a new ordinance aimed at regulating data center development on Tuesday, August 11. This proposed ordinance has been spurred by QTS, an international company expressing interest in constructing an 1,100-acre hyperscale data center in Clinton, a project estimated to cost $10 billion.
The 15-page ordinance addresses various aspects of data center development, including siting, construction, operation, and environmental impacts such as water use, electricity demand, noise, and compatibility with surrounding land uses. While recognizing the potential economic benefits, the city also acknowledges the substantial demands on public infrastructure. Ahead of a formal proposal from QTS, the city is attempting to establish its first data center regulations, which have drawn significant public resistance from groups like "Clintonians Against Data Centers," a private Facebook group with 1,300 members advocating for stricter rules.
City Attorney Patrick O’Connell, who drafted the ordinance without input from data center owners or developers, presented it to the Clinton Plan Commission. The commission, after hearing extensive public comments and considering various concerns, including impacts on private wells, noise, and buffering distances, recommended the ordinance for approval with several changes, such as requiring a performance bond, extending setback requirements to 1,500 feet, and ensuring developers cover infrastructure and utility costs. Separately, an earlier proposal for a temporary data center moratorium in Clinton was rejected by the city council.
QTS, which also has a similar data center campus under development in Cedar Rapids, has stated it is in the due diligence phase for the Clinton project and has not yet submitted a formal development plan. The company emphasizes its commitment to community engagement and aligning with local development standards. However, local opposition groups, including spokesman Kevin Bradley, have expressed disappointment over perceived lack of transparency and public participation in the ordinance review process, raising concerns about potential long-term environmental and economic impacts.