Linn County BOS approve 18-month moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated areas
The Linn County Board of Supervisors approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center development in unincorporated Linn County. This decision temporarily halts the consideration of future projects to allow county leaders to further evaluate the industry's long-term impacts and the effectiveness of recently adopted zoning regulations. Concerns include water consumption, infrastructure impacts, and noise.
The Linn County Board of Supervisors voted 2-1 on Wednesday to enact an 18-month moratorium on new data center development within unincorporated areas of Linn County, Iowa. This temporary pause aims to allow county leaders to further evaluate the rapidly expanding data center industry and monitor the effectiveness of a comprehensive data center ordinance adopted just months prior.
Board Chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt and Supervisor Brandy Meisheid supported the moratorium, emphasizing the need for additional time to assess long-term impacts and observe how existing regulations interact with future projects. Supervisor Sami Scheetz cast the dissenting vote, arguing that the county's recently approved ordinance already struck a balance between resident protection and responsible economic development, including potential job creation and long-term economic benefits.
The initial data center ordinance, unanimously approved in February after extensive public input, established specific zoning regulations for large-scale facilities in unincorporated Linn County. These rules address concerns about water consumption, energy demand, traffic, noise, and environmental impacts through requirements for water studies, economic development agreements, and road use plans. The moratorium will not affect data centers located within city limits, such as those already under construction in Cedar Rapids.