Marshalltown residents voice data center questions during well-attended community roundtable
Marshalltown residents gathered for a community roundtable to voice concerns about potential data center development, including issues of water and electricity usage, property values, and fire hazards. The city is gathering feedback to inform the creation of future data center regulations. The event followed a protest against data center development in the community.
Marshalltown, Iowa, residents voiced strong concerns regarding potential data center development during a well-attended public roundtable at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Over 100 attendees listened to Marshalltown Assistant Director of Housing & Community Development Clayton Ender, who clarified that the city is currently gathering information and has not yet begun preparing formal data center regulations. The purpose of the meeting was to allow the city to hear citizen feedback before moving forward with potential regulatory frameworks.
Residents participated in small table discussions and later shared their collective concerns. Jon Boston, Chairman of the Marshalltown Planning & Zoning Commission, addressed questions regarding potential tax breaks, noting such decisions rest with the Marshalltown City Council, and emphasized the need for clearer parameters for data centers, similar to existing ordinances for noise and lighting. Boston also highlighted resident concerns about water consumption, particularly from evaporative cooling systems, advocating for closed-loop cooling alternatives. The primary perceived benefit of data centers, according to Boston, is an expansion of the property tax base to offset living costs.
Key concerns raised by residents included the financial volatility of the data center industry, fire hazards associated with lithium batteries and the inability to extinguish such fires, potential decreases in property values for nearby homeowners, and the visual and audible impacts of facilities. Leigh Bauder expressed worries about the industry's volatility and the desire for local revenue generation and on-site employment. Lisa McElaney pointed out the risks of lithium battery fires and suggested developers should be required to relocate residents within 2,000 feet of a facility, utilizing the land as green space. Amber Lawthers questioned why residents were not initially consulted on whether they wanted data centers at all, citing polls indicating public opposition. Other issues included negative impacts on drinking water quality, low job creation after construction, and the need for electromagnetic force (EMF) shielding. Residents also inquired why development actions seemed to be proceeding despite a perceived moratorium.