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County commissioners table vote on rezoning for proposed data center after public concern about water system
Summary
Clinton County commissioners voted to table action on a planning commission referral to rezone land north of the ConAgra site for a proposed light-industrial data center, citing missing information, a missing commissioner and residents— concerns about whether a buyer would use a closed-loop water system.
Clinton County commissioners on Sept. 16 unanimously voted to table action on a planning commission referral to rezone land north of the ConAgra property to light industrial, including for a proposed data center. Commissioners said they lacked information and one commissioner, Jordan Brewer, was absent.
The planning commission held a hearing Sept. 2 and sent a package ("O925391") to the commissioners with a neutral/no recommendation after it failed to reach consensus, area planner Liz said. Liz told the commissioners that, under state law, the legislative body has 90 days to act; if it does not act after a neutral recommendation, the rezoning fails.
Commissioners said they wanted more time for research, a site tour that had been offered and to review additional materials from the applicant. Commissioner Myers moved to table the item; the presiding commissioner seconded the motion and it carried 2-0.
The decision to delay followed public comment raising environmental concerns. During the public comment period, Brenda Bridal Tollson said she had attended an applicant presentation the night before and that the presenter "could not guarantee a closed loop system for that property," adding, "water is a big issue in this particular project." The commissioners acknowledged the public comment and reiterated they would not make a decision at the Sept. 16 meeting.
Liz told the board the planning commission had forwarded the file with no recommendation and that the commission could either act, continue the matter, or table it; she reiterated the 90-day statutory timetable tied to the commission—s recommendation. No formal rezoning vote or ordinance adoption occurred at the Sept. 16 meeting.
The commissioners directed staff to hold further information for consideration when the full board is present and to provide any applicant communications to the full board before a final vote.
No legal or technical guarantee about water systems or future ownership was made on the record at the Sept. 16 meeting; public comment and commissioners— statements indicate the question of whether a future buyer would use a closed-loop cooling system for a data center remains unresolved.
