Council considers data center regulations, proposed amendments
The Marshalltown City Council discussed proposed regulations for future data center development and unanimously delayed the ordinance's first reading until its next meeting. The proposal includes setbacks, buffer yards, cooling requirements and approval procedures, while residents and some councilors called for stronger restrictions and an extension of the existing moratorium.
The Marshalltown City Council spent more than two hours reviewing proposed regulations for future data centers before unanimously delaying the ordinance's first reading until Nov. 9. The rules would require setbacks of up to 600 feet from homes and public uses, establish buffer yards, favor closed-loop cooling systems and regulate development through an overlay district and special-use permits.
Most speakers opposed data center development or urged stronger safeguards, citing noise, water use, property values, emergency response and electricity demand. Councilor Marco Yepez-Gomez proposed larger buffers, project categories and removal of by-right approval in the overlay district, while other officials supported the draft as a way to direct development to appropriate areas. The council approved a requirement for noise-abatement studies but rejected a proposal to increase buffer yards from 100 to 200 feet; the broader ordinance remains under consideration, and one written commenter urged extending the city's moratorium.