Linn County leaders finalize data center ordinance

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Linn County Board of Supervisors has finalized a new zoning code specific to large-scale data center projects in unincorporated areas.

Supervisors unanimously approved the ordinance Wednesday, which marked the board’s third and final consideration of the draft language.

The code outlines the application requirements and considerations for any large-scale data center developers looking to build in unincorporated Linn County. It does not apply to data center projects within city limits.

County staff drafted the code after several months of research and the review of three industry consultants. It was first presented during a public hearing in Palo before being amended earlier this week.

“This is a perfect example of how representative government should work,” Linn County Supervisor Sami Scheetz said. “We heard concerns from residents, came back to staff and staff came back to us with what I would say is an ordinance that reflects the changes residents wanted to see.”

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Before any application, developers must hold a public meeting with surrounding landowners and interested citizens. Their rezoning application would then go to the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission before heading to the Board of Supervisors.

The applicant will be required to provide a major site plan at that time, alongside a development timeline, site layout and an estimate of the number of jobs created as a result of the project.

Applications will further be required to solicit and submit a third-party water study “demonstrating there is sufficient reliable water supply to meet all projected water demands without undue adverse impacts on existing users, aquifers or watersheds.”

After rezoning, but before any building permits could be issued, the applicant will be required to enter into a water use agreement with Linn County and to submit separate lighting and waste management plans.

Developers also will be beholden to an economic development agreement requiring the applicant to create a community betterment fund to support various community improvements.

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