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Brown County approves first readings of wind and data‑center ordinances; commissioners debate setback reductions and a 75‑decibel noise threshold
Summary
The commission approved first readings of Amended Ordinance 302 (wind energy systems) and Amended Ordinance 303 (data centers). Commissioners discussed allowing reductions of a 1‑mile separation to as little as one‑half mile via waiver and debated a 75‑decibel threshold at property lines to trigger reduced separation.
The Brown County Board of Commissioners approved first readings for two amendments to the county zoning code: Amended Ordinance 302, which replaces Chapter 4.36 governing wind-energy systems, and Amended Ordinance 303, which adds a data‑center definition and a new Chapter 4.38 to Title 4.
During the first reading of Ordinance 302 (wind energy), the commission asked for public input; none appeared and the body moved and carried the first reading.
Ordinance 303 (data center) prompted detailed discussion about two drafting issues flagged by planning staff and the planning and zoning board. The draft as presented allowed a one‑mile separation as a design standard; staff noted the ordinance should allow the board to reduce that separation to not less than one‑half mile in some cases. Commissioners discussed how the waiver would operate — whether a property owner’s written consent or technical noise measurements should govern reductions. One staff participant said the ordinance provides two options, including a waiver where a property owner could agree to a half‑mile separation instead of a full mile. Another participant summarized the noise standard as: “Noise threshold is 75 at the end of the property line,” meaning the county would measure 75 decibels at neighboring property lines to assess eligibility for a reduced separation. An example was raised comparing typical data-center noise (far under 75 dB in many designs) with the noisier bitcoin‑mining operation in Ellendale (noted in the record as roughly 90 dB at the source).
Commissioners moved to incorporate the recommended corrections to the ordinance draft (reducing the minimum allowable separation under waiver language to one‑half mile and adjusting the noise‑waiver language) and approved first reading. The record contains inconsistent spellings for a planning contact (appearing as both “Scott Vader” and later as “Scott Bader”); commissioners asked staff to incorporate the technical clarifications into the draft before further readings.
