[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6263710,"mediaKeyId","3103008-520be13726a9a37181f29ec6f8d30add","parentId",3103008,"title","Jackson County planners review A-1 zoning rewrite; commission removes a multifamily access clause","audioSeconds",3273,"startMs",134000,"endMs",3407000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3103008-520be13726a9a37181f29ec6f8d30add&start=134&end=3407","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3103008-520be13726a9a37181f29ec6f8d30add/thumbnail_134000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6263710/Jackson-County/Iowa/Jackson-County-planners-review-A-1-zoning-rewrite-commission-removes-a-multifamily-access-clause","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263710-323584216cfa9a1a096898d58d70283a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222449&Signature=BxGEFKxpzrLUYK5ztt3T8fCxNPeGg1mLcKKp3gEslz7XkFLAMM7iNWLrojZQVrBPh8YSoHw9Ep4JilVopR6dA8hybHrTsKr5gKbzVk1wlj6TEhbccQ79oDCTKJIBuxzLvUh7-iHXE124LxW7h~asrM2OPEfrAOa6-EUJ1w916VUVU1E4zIPu6cROPjGmq~nQGPkA5zrydfzqHfHnPNGajz-Wu0nGGZyON0j2aHkoCiUFqaycwSfVkCfie-cO42-MqJfj79~3btiQp86bK2M0swQhyyLwpz-NTGjzWclpEqReqMKGOPGzIUQJ-3X-BmfSvwkrDttbD77gtx1lMX7Kpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jackson County, Iowa","date","2025-04-24T00:20:50.4Z","article","Jackson County Planning and Zoning Commissioners spent the bulk of a May work session reviewing proposed revisions to the county’s A‑1 (agricultural) zoning chapter, discussing new tables for permitted uses and parking, treatment of elder/group homes, rules for cell towers and extraction sites, and whether the county should defer to Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) standards for underground storage tanks.

The draft, prepared by county staff and presented by Laura, replaces long prose lists with standardized tables that list principal and accessory uses, required parking and development regulations. Commissioners discussed special‑exception rules the board of adjustment uses when granting variances and identified several places where existing, subjective language could be tightened or replaced with numeric separations or references to state rules.

Why it matters: The A‑1 district covers most of Jackson County. Changes to parking, setbacks and special‑exception rules affect how small residential conversions, agricultural services and limited industrial activities can operate on farmland and in older, pre‑zoning subdivisions such as Leisure Lake.

Most significant discussion points

- Parking for elder and family group homes: Commissioners debated whether to keep the draft’s one‑half parking space per dwelling unit standard for elder/group homes — a ratio the presenter said aims to limit impervious surface — or to require one space per unit. Staff said the one‑half‑space minimum was simple to change and agreed to revise the table if the commission preferred 1 space per unit. The transcript records commissioners noting that state law treats elder/group homes like single‑family dwellings, and that assisted‑living or nursing facilities should be considered separate uses with higher parking needs.

- Cell towers and aircraft protection lighting: Staff and commissioners reviewed a proposed provision requiring aircraft detection/lighting systems (ADLS) for new towers “unless prohibited by FAA regulations.” Commissioners agreed to change permissive wording (“may”) to mandatory wording (“shall”) while preserving a limiting clause that defers to the Federal Aviation Administration where the FAA expressly prohibits ADLS technology.

- Extraction, mining and feedlots: Commissioners examined existing separation distances and noted most of those numeric separations predate modern DNR rules and some have been in the ordinance since the 1970s. Commissioners asked staff to compare separation distances in the draft (for example, an extraction site minimum of 50 feet from property lines was cited) with real‑world complaints and with DNR and state agency standards before recommending changes.

- Underground storage tanks and state override: The draft contains a carryover provision that locates underground storage tanks “no closer to any property line than the greatest depth to the bottom of such tanks.” Commissioners said the county should check current Iowa DNR rules on tank depth, setbacks and permitting requirements and otherwise reference DNR standards rather than replicate outdated language. Staff agreed to confirm whether the county can be more restrictive and recommended referencing DNR regulations in the ordinance text to clarify enforcement jurisdiction.

- Nonconforming uses and special exceptions: Commissioners and staff discussed the subjective phrasing used for “no offensive noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odor” and whether the nearest dwelling is the correct baseline for measuring impacts given prevailing winds. They favored clearer numeric separations where appropriate (for example, commercial feedlot separations) and collection of problem property examples to guide revisions.

- Alternative rules for older residential lots: The draft proposes alternative, more flexible development standards within the R‑1/residential framework for small lots created before county zoning (the Leisure Lake example). Staff described two parallel tables: one with standard R‑1 rules for lots created after zoning and a second with alternative rules (smaller setbacks, average front‑yard setbacks, and a 20‑foot operational driveway requirement) aimed at allowing practical parking forecourts on lots with shallow front yards.

Formal actions and votes

- Minutes approval (03/10/2025): A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded and the commission voted “aye.” The transcript records the motion, second and an aye vote; individual vote names or a numeric tally were not specified in the record. Outcome: approved (unanimous aye recorded; individual yes votes not specified). Note: This was an administrative/procedural vote taken at the meeting start.

- Strike letter “a” under multifamily special‑exception conditions (number 15): Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to strike letter a of section 15 (multifamily dwelling conditions) — the clause requiring that such units “abut hard surface road” — and the motion passed after a voice vote of “aye.” The transcript does not identify mover or seconder by name. Outcome: approved (voice vote; moved and seconded; no roll‑call tally provided). Staff said other subsections (for example, a 5‑mile fire‑station proximity condition in 15.b) would remain.

Discussion vs. decisions

- Discussion only: Many items remained at the discussion stage — specifically, whether to adopt 1 space per elder dwelling versus the draft’s 0.5 space, precise numeric separations for feedlots and mining, and whether to keep or reword the “nearest dwelling” standard for nuisance‑type impacts.

- Direction to staff: Commissioners directed staff to: (1) research and cross‑check Iowa DNR rules for underground storage tanks and feedlots and update ordinance language to reference state standards where appropriate; (2) return with the research behind typical parking ratios for elementary and secondary schools and other uses cited in the tables; and (3) refine the R‑1 alternative‑regulation draft (average front‑yard setback, parking forecourt diagrams) and present a clean version with corrected numeric setbacks.

- Formal action: The commission approved striking letter a under the multifamily special‑exception rules and approved meeting minutes as recorded.

Numbers and clarifications captured from the session

- Parking: Draft used one‑half parking space per elder/group home unit as the starting point; commissioners discussed changing to 1 per unit and staff said that adjustment was “very simple to do.” (source: staff presentation discussion)

- Lot minimums: Staff presented a study of Leisure Lake lots showing many parcels fail to meet a 20,000‑square‑foot minimum for well/septic; using a 12,000‑square‑foot threshold reduces the number of nonconforming lots — the draft uses these benchmarks to justify alternative R‑1 rules for lots created before zoning.

- Driveway/parking clearance: The draft uses 20 feet as an operational driveway requirement (i.e., room to park and turn) while allowing smaller building setbacks where that 20‑foot space is provided in front or side‑loading configurations.

- Extraction setbacks: Existing ordinance language cited a 50‑foot separation from property lines for extraction and a larger separation (state figure cited in discussion as approximately 550 feet) from schools; staff noted those separations largely predate modern DNR rules.

- Fire service proximity: The draft retains a special‑exception condition (for some higher‑density dwellings) that requires properties be within 5 miles by normal travel route of the nearest fire station; commissioners discussed keeping that metric as a reasonable service‑level threshold.

Authorities referenced in the discussion

- Iowa Code (state statute) — referenced multiple times when commissioners discussed how state law treats elder/group homes and whether county rules must align with state provisions.

- Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) regulations — specifically referenced as the authoritative source for underground storage tanks, feedlot separations and wastewater/lagoon permitting; commissioners directed staff to review and, where appropriate, reference DNR rules.

- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations — cited as the controlling authority where FAA prohibits certain tower lighting options such as ADLS.

What’s next

Staff will return with a clean redraft that incorporates the commission’s direction: updated parking ratios (if the commission chooses), clarified special‑exception separations, a recommended approach to UST and feedlot language tied to Iowa DNR standards, and refined R‑1 alternative regulations with clearer diagrams and notes on how to measure rights‑of‑way and front‑yard averages. The commission set the item for a future meeting date for continued review.

Ending note: Commissioners repeatedly emphasized clarity and enforceability — preferring numeric separations or explicit references to state agency regulations over subjective language that has produced contested cases before the Board of Adjustment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jackson County Iowa Zoning Commission Meeting 4-21-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Jackson County Planning and Zoning Commissioners spent a May work session reviewing proposed revisions to the A‑1 (agricultural) zoning chapter, including parking rules for elder and family group homes, cell‑tower lighting requirements, extraction and underground storage‑tank language, and special‑exception criteria.","taxTitle","taxId",38127,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6263704,"Jackson County hears introduction to draft data‑processing (mining) rules; commission peers at noise, setbacks and overlay options",2206,6730000,8936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3103008-520be13726a9a37181f29ec6f8d30add&start=6730&end=8936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3103008-520be13726a9a37181f29ec6f8d30add/thumbnail_6730000.jpg","/articles/6263704/Jackson-County/Iowa/Jackson-County-hears-introduction-to-draft-dataprocessing-mining-rules-commission-peers-at-noise-setbacks-and-overlay-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263704-04f9e2d1bc4d9fd926dbead34ac64759/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222449&Signature=gtO7di7Iuu2yxtWyiPZ~5rPxnafsHqb4YZRvKTKpL9nJk4~2O49lyqN9WqpvwOUOcSZ~OhD1u~LiQuhJzFnG8RJVFUStBx7EhZ6C3pp35Ep8-O0wEO3XuhgsvhI0ld1znpcsyPB-oSF~CWZMHElG~5U7Ett5wFR1oRduxocrnQ7dRZATLpX2g8xKrRzDtSofEIX7DsVVECHHVPQWMfYufGE03hrFXxasFPRONg8iZaR4h3ffSPqNCjPDN7pSYM9paG4-NJGS~4J0sd~TRbyqsT7ggWyNaGW80wL-6QH74Cz36p5YF-KjGgZek1dLMBZyyUkY1HCtLoszuT0LtPfAPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackson County Planning staff introduced a first draft of a new ordinance section to regulate data‑processing operations — the term used in the draft to cover bitcoin/cryptocurrency “mining” pods and other server‑based facilities — and asked commissioners for initial guidance rather than formal action.

Lede: The presentation, which staff described as a preliminary working draft, removed many wind‑industry terms from earlier templates and focused on land‑use controls: setbacks, building height limits that default to the base zoning district, noise standards measured at the nearest dwelling, fire‑suppression access, bonding and decommissioning requirements, signage and electrical code compliance.

Nut Graf: Commissioners discussed whether to regulate by overlay (temporary M‑1/M‑2 overlay that reverts to A‑1 when the use ceases) or by standard rezoning; staff cautioned that an overlay’s administrative lifecycle can be hard to track over decades. The commission also concentrated on how to regulate exterior noise (decibel limits and measurement points), proximity to fire stations, and referencing state or industry standards for cooling and noise mitigation.

Key items discussed

- Scope and definitions: Staff said they adapted a wind‑ordinance template and removed wind‑specific metrics (height, rotor diameter, shadow flicker, meteorological towers, view‑shed language) because data centers look and operate more like buildings than turbines. The draft focuses on “data processing facilities” built of pods, containers or buildings proximate to utility substations.

- Overlay district option: Staff described a renewable‑energy style overlay that imposes M‑1/M‑2 rules on a parcel while the data‑processing use is active and reverts the parcel to A‑1 when the use ends. Commissioners discussed pros and cons: overlay eases temporary industrial conversions but raises questions about long‑term recordkeeping, GIS flags and whether subsequent non‑data industrial uses should need a fresh rezoning.

- Noise and setback strategy: Commissioners and members of the public repeatedly urged decibel limits measured at the nearest dwelling or a specified setback (one resident asked for 1,500 feet as a target). Staff suggested regulating operational sound levels at the nearest residence and selected setbacks to ensure emergency access, noting that many data centers must be near substations and therefore may be located closer to neighbors than typical industrial plants.

- Cooling and mitigation technology: Staff noted technologies range from air‑cooled and water‑cooled systems to enclosed building solutions. Commissioners cautioned against overly prescriptive technology mandates (for example, requiring water cooling), which could quickly become outdated. Instead they favored outcome‑based standards (noise, emissions, safety) and clear decommissioning/bonding rules.

- Fire service and emergency access: Staff proposed conditions to ensure properties are within reasonable response distance; the draft includes a 5‑mile by normal travel route proximity as a condition for certain higher‑impact uses.

- Enforcement and monitoring: Commissioners asked whether the county can require periodic sound studies and who would perform them. Staff said the draft contemplates periodic engineering reports keyed to permit conditions and suggested a multi‑year reporting cadence to allow follow‑up if performance standards are exceeded.

No formal action was taken; staff asked commissioners to return written comments and said they would circulate a revised draft before the next meeting.

Ending: The commission set follow‑up work for subsequent meetings. Staff asked commissioners not to share the very early draft outside the commission because it is a working document that will change pending research and public input.","Commissioners received a staff introduction to a draft data‑processing (cryptocurrency/data center) ordinance; staff removed wind‑specific technical terms, proposed ADLS/FAA exclusions, discussed overlay zoning versus full rezoning, and flagged decibel and fire‑service proximity (5‑mile) as key concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Jackson County planners review A-1 zoning rewrite; commission removes a multifamily access clause

Jackson County hears introduction to draft data‑processing (mining) rules; commission peers at noise, setbacks and overlay options