Council debates, narrowly approves proposed data center overlay district
The Marshalltown City Council narrowly approved a data center overlay district that would allow administrative approval in parts of the city, including Edgewood Industrial Park and land east of 18th Avenue. The council also approved ordinances requiring data centers to use the public water system and establishing noise and generator standards, while postponing the main data center ordinance for further Planning and Zoning Commission review.
The Marshalltown City Council voted 4-3 to approve a proposed data center overlay district covering Edgewood Industrial Park and an undeveloped area east of 18th Avenue. The district would allow qualifying data centers to receive administrative approval rather than go through the city’s special-use permit process. An amendment to remove land north of Marion Street failed on a 4-3 vote.
Residents and landowners, including Diamond Roots LLC, opposed the expedited approval process and called for public hearings and greater community input. The council also unanimously approved measures requiring data centers and other properties to connect to the public water system when reasonably available, along with noise standards that cap industrial sound at 80 decibels and address generator testing and emergency operations. The primary data center ordinance was postponed until Nov. 9 after additional changes were referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission.