Nelson says Woodbury County will take up issue of data centers, including possible temporary moratorium on them
Woodbury County in Iowa is considering a temporary moratorium on data centers and will hold public meetings to discuss zoning and development processes. This comes after MidAmerican Energy disclosed its involvement in a proposed data center near Salix, prompting concerns among residents and county officials about the lack of specific zoning regulations.
Woodbury County is initiating a series of discussions regarding the potential development of a data center near Salix, Iowa, including the possibility of enacting a temporary moratorium on such facilities. Woodbury County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mark Nelson confirmed that the county plans a deliberate process to address associated issues, starting with an informational item at the upcoming county supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 16, at the county courthouse.
The discussions will cover the county's current lack of specific zoning regulations for data centers and explore options for future direction to the zoning commission, public input, timelines, and the feasibility of an interim moratorium. This move follows a disclosure by MidAmerican Energy about its involvement in a proposed data center development on approximately 950 acres of land near Salix.
While the Salix City Council approved the annexation of the land in April, it is not currently zoned for business use, and Mayor Kevin Nelson stated no rezoning proposal has been made. Supervisor Nelson noted that Salix residents have expressed displeasure over the limited information from the city council regarding data center rumors, underscoring the challenges small towns face in addressing such large-scale developments.