Commissioners vote to begin text amendment to allow data centers as conditional use in C‑1 zone

The Jones County Board of Commissioners voted July 15 to begin a formal text‑amendment process to allow data centers as a conditional use in the county's C‑1 commercial district.

Planning presenter Miss Haley told the board she was requesting that the board initiate a proposal to create sections 32, 24, 73.139 and 96.7 of the county's Comprehensive Land Development Resolution to permit data centers as a conditional use in C‑1 properties. "The purpose of this amendment is to allow data center as a conditional use in the C 1 District," Miss Haley said.

The move starts the ordinance‑amendment process; a motion to begin the text amendment received a second and passed on a voice vote. Commissioner Jeremy asked for clarification and was told that any data‑center proposal would still come before the board as a conditional‑use matter for review and any required public hearings.

The amendment request noted rising interest from data‑center proposals in the area but did not include project‑specific approvals, operational standards, or an application before the board. The board did not adopt final zoning language on July 15; it authorized staff to begin the text‑amendment process and return with formal language for subsequent review.

No public hearing, vote count, or mover/second names were recorded in the meeting transcript for the motion to initiate the amendment. The transcript also did not include details about proposed performance standards, utility or power requirements, or potential environmental or traffic reviews; those items would be addressed in later ordinance language and staff reports if the amendment proceeds.

Next steps identified by the board are routine: staff will draft amendment language and schedule required notices and hearings under the county's land‑use code before any final adoption.