A petition that would put an ordinance in another part of city code was rejected after the city attorney said it was inadmissible because it impacted zoning laws.
CLINTON, Iowa — The city council in Clinton, Iowa held a public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 27 regarding a proposed ordinance governing data centers. The ordinance has become a hot-button issue for the community as developer QTS seeks to build a data center on about 1,100 acres on the west side of town.
An hour before the meeting, Clintonians Against Data Centers made their voices heard at a rally outside Eagle Point Lodge.
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“I would say that our goal at this point is just to slow this process down,” organizer Celeste Robbins said.
Robbins said her biggest aim is protecting her city from the worst impacts of data centers.
“1,500 foot setbacks, livestock animals as a sensitive receptor and more strict, stronger language throughout the ordinance,” she said.
Another perspective from within the group came from a former city council member, Ed O’Neill.
“We need some work on both sides to come to a compromise,” O’Neill said.
O’Neill suggested the city offer space in an existing rail yard, about 1,300 acres split across the highway.
“Part of the compromise is we’re going to suggest that Grow Clinton gift that 500 acres that they got to QTS,” O’Neill said.
Inside the meeting, Robbins argued the city is unfairly rejecting the group’s petition.
“I really wish the city would do the right thing because you got 1,500 signatures from your residents,” she said.
The petition proposed an ordinance prohibiting the operation of hyperscale data centers within a mile of anywhere people live or work. City Attorney Pat O’Connell said the petition couldn’t be accepted because it impacted zoning laws.
“It has nothing to do with whether the initiative was a great idea or a bad idea or anything. It’s just not allowed by our initiative process in our charter,” O’Connell said.
City council ended up approving the first reading. Councilmember Janet Turpin was the only member to vote against. The ordinance must pass two more readings before going into effect.