Dubuque County maps data center setbacks for proposed ordinance
Dubuque County leaders are considering a strict new ordinance for data centers, including significant setback requirements proposed by a citizens' group that could severely limit development areas. This comes as a county moratorium on new data center applications remains in effect until late May. Officials are also discussing the costs and necessity of monitoring the county's aquifers to inform the ordinance or as a separate project.
Dubuque County leaders in Iowa are actively working on a new ordinance to regulate data center development, holding their sixth work session on the matter. The proposed rules, which include significant setbacks from homes, roads, streams, and sinkholes, are largely based on a draft submitted by the Data Center Accountability for the Citizens of Dubuque group. County zoning administrator Ben Coburn presented maps demonstrating how these proposed setbacks could leave very few viable locations for data centers across the county.
Despite the potential for limited development areas, citizens' group member Mike Walter emphasized that the ordinance's primary goal is protection, and the industry must adapt to these requirements. Concurrently, the county maintains a moratorium on new data center applications until late May. Supervisors also discussed the importance and cost of monitoring the county's aquifers by drilling wells to track water levels, considering whether this data should influence the data center ordinance or be pursued as a separate county initiative. Supervisor Wayne Kenniker stressed the need for concrete data over forecasts. County staff are now tasked with estimating these monitoring costs, with the zoning commission planning another work session for September 22.