Data center meeting includes talk of extending Johnson County’s moratorium
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors in Iowa is considering extending its current data center moratorium, which is set to expire in November, and exploring a potential outright ban on data centers. Officials are also working on an ordinance to regulate data center development, addressing concerns such as water and power usage, noise limits, and zoning requirements.
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors in Iowa is set to consider extending its current 12-month moratorium on data center applications, which is scheduled to expire on November 8. During a July 22 meeting, the board and the county's Planning and Zoning Commission also discussed the possibility of implementing an outright ban on data centers within Johnson County, pending legal review by the county attorney's office.
Public comments at the meeting included suggestions for a complete ban, a sentiment reportedly favored by some board and commission members. The work session focused on drafting an ordinance to guide and regulate data center development, specifically addressing concerns related to water and power usage, facility size, noise limits, waste management, and the impact on Iowa City Municipal Airport operations. The board also agreed against offering economic incentives for data center projects.
Johnson County has not yet received any data center applications, but a large QTS data center is under construction nearby in Linn County, which has already enacted an 18-month moratorium. Supervisor Lisa Green-Douglass expressed hope for extending Johnson County's moratorium, while Josh Busard, Director of Planning, Development and Sustainability, indicated that developing a comprehensive ordinance would be a lengthy process, regardless of whether a permanent ban is pursued.