Adair County enacts temporary moratorium on data centers, high-density computing and battery storage

The Adair County Board of Supervisors on March 18 unanimously adopted a temporary moratorium on the construction of data centers, high-density computing facilities and battery storage systems in unincorporated areas of the county.

Supervisor Hoadley moved to adopt Resolution #2026-26, which the board said is intended to give county officials time to determine whether to impose a permanent moratorium or to draft ordinances that would regulate siting, construction, operation and decommissioning of such facilities. Supervisor Baier seconded the motion; the roll-call vote recorded Hoadley, Baier, Wedemeyer, Christoffersen and Walker as voting aye.

In debate before the vote, supervisors voiced differing views about how to balance economic development against potential local impacts. Board members said they wanted clearer rules to protect county roads, nearby property rights and residents’ interests, and cited uncertainty about applicable state and federal requirements. The meeting record notes that other counties have encountered challenges related to similar projects and that Union County has been pursuing related projects in the region.

The resolution directs that the temporary moratorium remain in effect until the board either passes a resolution imposing a permanent moratorium, enacts an ordinance regulating these facilities, or rescinds the temporary moratorium. The board also discussed next steps for drafting ordinance language; Supervisor Hoadley identified ordinance provisions to consider such as requiring sites to be permanent enclosed buildings on permanent foundations and establishing setback and notification requirements.

The board took the moratorium action as part of its regular session; no immediate permit applications were on the agenda. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.