Lee County Board of Supervisors host townhall on data centers
The Lee County Board of Supervisors held a town hall to discuss data center safeguards after enacting a moratorium in June. The county, lacking formal zoning, aims to draft an ordinance to regulate future data center projects. Residents expressed opposition to data centers, and additional town halls are planned.
The Lee County Board of Supervisors is actively seeking public input regarding safeguards for data center developments, following the enactment of a moratorium in June. The first of three scheduled town halls took place, with Board Chairman Ginger Knisley emphasizing the need for "guard rails" to regulate data center projects.
Knisley explained that the county currently lacks comprehensive zoning regulations, making it challenging for the Board to assert control over proposed data center constructions. The moratorium was put in place after an unnamed company approached a property owner with plans for a data center, highlighting the urgent need for local oversight.
During the town hall, residents voiced strong opposition, with many expressing a desire to prevent data centers from being built near their communities. The moratorium's stated purpose is to provide the county with sufficient time to draft a new ordinance, which would establish specific regulations for data center projects. Two more town hall meetings are scheduled for the coming week in Donnellson and Keokuk to continue gathering public opinion.