Residents urge county to consider moratorium, protections as data-center interest grows

Several residents used the public forum on July 29 to raise concerns about potential data-center development near residential areas and to ask the Board of Supervisors to consider protective measures or a temporary moratorium.

Zach Hamilton said his neighborhood at 2250 Shady Oaks Road is currently under county jurisdiction and that the City of Marshalltown has identified the area as future industrial use under the 'reimagined Marshalltown' plan; he said members of his neighborhood have seen developer interest and asked the board to protect residents' property values and lifestyles. "The mayor did confirm at the city council meeting Monday night that data centers have been reaching out to the city for development," Hamilton said. Maggie Valentine and others urged the board to align county policy with the city's moratorium or at least hold public discussions and gather input while staff and the zoning commission study best practices.

Tyler Kelly, Marshall County zoning director, said the zoning commission will discuss the matter in late August and that the county is gathering information through a working group of development officials in neighboring states. Multiple supervisors said they are in an information-gathering phase and that any county ordinance should be coordinated with the city's approach where appropriate. No regulatory action was taken at the meeting; the board indicated the topic will be considered by the zoning commission and staff before any ordinance or moratorium is presented for formal action.