Jackson County Supervisors discuss data center ordinance

Jackson County Supervisors and the Jackson County Zoning Commission are actively discussing a new data center ordinance in Maquoketa, Iowa. This initiative comes as an existing moratorium on data center developments, which was put in place after the board was approached about smaller 'shipping container' data centers, is set to expire at the end of August. The urgency for a comprehensive ordinance is high, with supervisors noting that without local regulations, the state may impose its own.

A public meeting held by the Zoning Commission saw a full house, indicating significant community interest and concern. Supervisors Mike Steines highlighted major public concerns including noise, water, electricity, and the associated costs, referencing past issues like a data center company in nearby Cedar Rapids being fined for unpermitted wells. The draft ordinance aims to establish a thorough review process for any data center construction within the county, addressing critical impacts such as land use, water consumption, traffic, noise, public safety, and energy usage.

Despite the proposed framework, residents still have questions, particularly about the infrastructure needed to support increased electricity demands and who will bear the financial burden. The county supervisors are moving forward with the draft, which requires three readings to pass, as they seek to proactively protect the county's interests and manage future data center developments.