Supervisors debate land‑use limits for data centers and battery storage, cite safety and infrastructure concerns

Board and planning staff discussed how Mills County treats data centers and battery storage facilities under current land‑use rules. Staff noted data centers are not a listed rural land use; if a company proposed one, the process would start with economic development staff and likely proceed through planning commission and possible ordinance amendments or annexation.

Members raised practical barriers to rural siting—water supply, power transmission and emergency response capacity—and safety concerns about battery storage incidents. One supervisor cited incidents from other states and urged caution about siting large battery facilities near rights-of-way. Planning staff said the county is already restrictive by omission: because the use is unlisted, permits cannot be issued until the land‑use framework is amended.

The board discussed whether a symbolic moratorium would be helpful but concluded that keeping the use unlisted is adequate for now; if a project is proposed, staff recommended bringing specific ordinance language or restrictions back to the board for deliberation.