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Mason residents decry proposed data center, criticize city manager after heated episode on video
Summary
Dozens of residents urged the Mason City Council to halt plans for an M‑3 zoning change and a large data center, citing noise, water and visual impacts, and demanded transparency and an apology after a widely shared video showed an altercation involving the city manager; the manager apologized on the record.
Dozens of residents filled the podium at a Dec. 18 special meeting of the Mason City Council to press the body for more transparency on a proposed large data center, urge a moratorium on accepting applications and demand an apology from the city manager over conduct captured on video.
Residents repeatedly blamed council and staff for secrecy and poor outreach as speakers detailed environmental and community concerns tied to a proposed M‑3 zoning district that, they said, could enable a mega data center on land outside city limits if annexed. "It was appalling. It was unprofessional," said Sharon Paltalki, addressing the city manager’s behavior and urging an apology to former Mayor Pro Tem Leon Clark. Multiple speakers asked the council to direct the FOIA coordinator to release communications between council, the city manager and any data center developers.
Why it matters: Speakers said a data center could change Mason’s…
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