Fort Madison Council updated on data center ordinance following canceled public hearing
The Fort Madison City Council received an update on a proposed High Infrastructure Impact Development ordinance after the Planning and Zoning Commission postponed its recommendation and a scheduled public hearing was canceled. The ordinance would regulate data centers and other high-impact developments based on their demands on electricity, water, wastewater, transportation, noise, emergency services and other infrastructure. The proposal follows community opposition to a potential data center near Fort Madison and a one-year Lee County moratorium that, along with a cease-and-desist letter, placed that project on hold.
The Fort Madison City Council was briefed on a proposed High Infrastructure Impact Development ordinance after the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission tabled its recommendation for another month. The canceled public hearing was replaced with an update from Planning and Zoning Director Doug Krogmeier, who said staff are conducting additional research and seeking outside input before the commission makes a recommendation.
The ordinance would establish impact thresholds and require technical studies for developments with extraordinary demands on electrical capacity, water and wastewater systems, transportation, noise, emergency services and other infrastructure. It emerged after community uproar over a potential data center at 2201 S. Business 61, just outside Fort Madison, while Lee County’s one-year construction moratorium and a cease-and-desist letter have placed that project on hold. Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Barb Asay has questioned whether the proposed rules are too broad and could impose unnecessary costs on existing businesses.