Council sets public hearing on temporary data-center moratorium after extended public comment

The Marshalltown City Council voted to set a public hearing on a temporary moratorium for data centers after extended council debate and an hour-plus of public comment. Staff read a resolution to establish the moratorium hearing; the motion to set the hearing passed by roll call.

Council members and residents traded sharply different views about the trade-offs. One council member opposed a pause, arguing data centers can generate significant local revenue: "For every $1,000,000,000 of development, expect about 1,000,000 dollars to go into the city's general fund," the council member said, adding the projects "are partners that are coming to invest in Marshalltown." Opponents urged caution. Another council member described the moratorium as "just a 4 month pause" intended to let planning and zoning develop tailored regulations and to solicit public input.

Public commenters raised practical concerns about water, power and long-term local benefits. Erin Carpenter, a resident who identified herself from 802 North 4th Street, said the city must avoid repeating code gaps from recent ground-mounted solar debates and asked for "guardrails so that development doesn't destroy the community." Brandy Glick cited statewide examples and told the council a hyperscale data center can use "the power of 50,000 homes," and referenced past water use incidents in Altoona during a 2023 drought.

Representatives of utilities and the business community also addressed the council. A submitted letter from Alliant Energy, read into the record by staff, said utilities typically require new large customers to pay for necessary infrastructure and reiterated a commitment that existing customers not bear the cost of serving large new loads. John Hall of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce urged balance, noting the conversation began as a proposal for a two-year moratorium and has moderated to a shorter pause that would still allow planning work to proceed.

The roll-call vote to set the public hearing is recorded in the transcript and was announced as passing; the hearing will allow the planning and zoning commission to hold meetings and return recommendations to the council. Council members said planning meetings would be open to the public and posted on the city agenda portal and social channels.