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Planners debate moratorium and training as county weighs rules for data centers
Summary
At an annual joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors, commissioners discussed concerns about data centers and bitcoin mining, including power use and infrastructure needs; staff proposed relying on conditional-use authority and pursuing Iowa State Extension training, while a supervisor urged at least a six-month moratorium.
Steve Clark raised concerns about data centers, bitcoin mining and associated power and infrastructure demands during the commission's annual joint session with the Board of Supervisors on April 20.
"We need to consider a moratorium," Clark said, calling for time to draft regulations as similar proposals have surfaced in neighboring counties. Commissioner Wermersen suggested a six‑month moratorium "would show we are working on it," referencing the time spent developing the wind ordinance.
Megan Kardell, Dickinson County zoning administrator, said the county currently has general utility language that designates some facilities as conditional uses in the Agricultural District and that staff have been collecting examples from surrounding counties, including Cherokee County and material based on prior work from Johnson County. She recommended training from Iowa State Extension (Luke Seaburg) and said the county would interview three firms shortlisted for the comprehensive plan update (Confluence, Bolten & Menk, and RDG) and select one after next week's interviews.
No moratorium was adopted at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to gather model ordinances and arrange training so the county can consider whether a short-term moratorium or an ordinance tailored to data centers and similar facilities is needed.
