Council updated on data center ordinance following canceled public hearing
Fort Madison officials are continuing to review a proposed High Infrastructure Impact Development ordinance designed to regulate data centers and other projects with unusually large demands on infrastructure. The Planning and Zoning Commission tabled its recommendation for another month, delaying a planned public hearing before the City Council. The review follows opposition to a proposed data center near Burlington Hill and a one-year Lee County construction moratorium.
The Fort Madison City Council received an update Monday after a planned public hearing on a proposed High Infrastructure Impact Development ordinance was canceled. The Planning and Zoning Commission has twice delayed its recommendation while city staff gather more information and assess how the rules could affect existing businesses and ordinary development.
The draft ordinance would establish thresholds for electrical demand, water and wastewater use, transportation, noise, emergency services and other infrastructure and environmental impacts. It follows community opposition to a potential data center at 2201 S. Business 61, just outside Fort Madison, which was placed on hold after the Lee County Board of Supervisors enacted a one-year construction moratorium and the county attorney issued a cease-and-desist letter. The commission plans to conduct additional review with utility providers, industry representatives and regional planning organizations before reconsidering the proposal.