Data Center Moratorium On The County’s Radar
The Yankton County Commission will hold a public hearing on a proposed data center moratorium, which Commissioner Ryan Heine drafted. Concurrently, a petition drive is underway to enact a county ordinance restricting or banning data centers, reflecting significant public and internal debate over regulating data center development in the county.
The Yankton County Commission has voted to hold a public hearing on a proposed data center moratorium at its July 21 regular meeting. This decision follows a contentious discussion during which Commissioner Ryan Heine, who drafted the one-year maximum moratorium, expressed frustration that the board did not immediately approve it.
Heine argued for immediate action, stating that the county lacks adequate zoning to regulate data centers and is vulnerable to developers or citizen-led initiatives. He warned that a petition drive is already active, seeking signatures for an ordinance that could ban or severely restrict data centers, potentially removing control from the commission.
Yankton County resident and state legislator Julie Auch, who is running for county commission, confirmed the petition drive is underway to enact a comprehensive ordinance regulating data centers. She suggested the commission adopt the ordinance proposed by the petition organizers to avoid it going to a general election ballot. Both Heine and Auch emphasized the urgency of establishing regulations, noting that landowners in the Utica Township area are already being approached by data center companies. Other commissioners prioritized following proper legal procedures for public hearings and gaining more time for informed decisions.