County takes turn with data center opponents
Lee County, Iowa residents continue to oppose a proposed AI data center, prompting county supervisors to approve hiring specialized legal counsel to investigate data center impacts and navigate legal issues. This action follows a one-year moratorium enacted in June and a recent cease-and-desist order on construction at the site.
Residents in Lee County, Iowa, voiced their opposition to a proposed AI data center on Burlington Hill at a public meeting with the Lee County Supervisors. This meeting followed a significant turnout at a Fort Madison Planning & Zoning Commission meeting the previous week, where nearly 200 people expressed concerns about the project.
The developer, Octopus Investments, LLC, had attempted to annex two small parcels within Fort Madison's jurisdiction for the project, but these attempts were rejected by the city. Lee County Supervisors had previously enacted a one-year moratorium on data center development in June and, more recently, Lee County Attorney Ross Braden issued a cease-and-desist order on construction at the site.
During the supervisors' meeting, Supervisor Garry Seyb introduced a resolution, which was unanimously approved 5-0, to hire specialized legal counsel. This firm will assist the county in investigating the impacts of data centers and nuclear power sites, as well as revising zoning codes to include these developments. Both County Attorney Braden and Supervisor Chuck Holmes supported the decision, emphasizing the need for specialized legal expertise in this complex area.
Residents, including Dave Taylor, raised concerns about the developer's promises of tax revenue, citing Iowa code exemptions for equipment that would limit tax collection to only property. Taylor also warned of significant utility rate hikes for citizens, ranging from 18% to 258% within three years, due to the high and consistent power demands of data centers.