Planning & Zoning Commission set to discuss data centers
The City of Fort Madison's Planning & Zoning Commission is set to discuss proposed ordinances for data centers, including "Extraterritorial Zoning and High Infrastructure Impact Developments," following a press release about a proposed "AI Data Center." Lee County has already enacted a one-year moratorium on data center construction to develop zoning regulations, while the property owner addresses public concerns about the project's impact on utilities and noise.
The Fort Madison Planning & Zoning Commission is slated to discuss new ordinances concerning data centers and "High Infrastructure Impact Developments" following public information released by the City of Fort Madison. The discussion is prompted by an "AI Data Center" project proposed at 2201 S. Business 61 South, just outside city limits. City Manager Laura Liegois clarified that while the city currently controls zoning for two parcels within its limits near the site, it lacks zoning authority over the broader 2-mile extraterritorial radius, where Lee County has not yet established specific data center zoning ordinances.
Property owner Dustin Wolgemuth, who has a letter of intent from an unnamed company for the site, addressed public concerns about the project. He debunked "myths" regarding potential increases in electric bills, power supply for residents, water consumption, noise levels, and the project's classification as a heavy industrial plant. Wolgemuth emphasized that modern AI data centers implement noise mitigation and efficient cooling, and that such projects offer significant private investment, create jobs, and expand the local tax base.
Notably, in June, the Lee County Board of Supervisors enacted a one-year moratorium on data center construction across the county. This pause allows the supervisors time to consult with experts and craft specific ordinances to regulate data centers, similar to their existing regulations for wind, solar, and battery storage projects. The city's Planning and Zoning Commission will review and develop ordinances before making recommendations to the Fort Madison City Council, with multiple reviews expected before final approval.