DUBUQUE COUNTY
DATA CENTER ORDINANCE DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP
A CLEAR PROCESS. PROTECTING LAND. SERVING PEOPLE. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.
ESTABLISH THE FOUNDATION
PUBLIC VISIONING
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CONSISTENCY
FACT FINDING
Adopt guiding principles that drive every decision and ordinance provision.
Conduct independent technical assessments (not developer-provided).
Engage the public early and meaningfully.
Ensure all policies align with the Comprehensive Plan.
Verify compatibility with future land use, agricultural, conservation, and infrastructure goals.
Use “conditions” approach.
Define County priorities.
Land, utilities, environment, infrastructure, community, and economic analysis.
Hold workshops and stakeholder meetings.
Affirm commitment to public health & safety, land preservation, and fiscal responsibility.
Do not rely on developer-provided data. and priorities.
No ordinance language should contradict the Plan
Document community values and priorities.
Ensure transparent public process.
Map exclusion areas: prime farmland, floodplains, wetlands, karst, parks, schools, scenic corridors, historic resources, etc.
Identify only limited Opportunity Areas.
INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY STUDY
FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
Require applicant-funded, independent studies.
Conduct independent fiscal impact review.
Evaluate electrical, water, wastewater, roads, bridges, fiber, emergency services, and more.
Evaluate revenues, expenses, services, infrastructure, long-term maintenance, and opportunity costs.
No approval until deficiencies are identified and funded. Net fiscal benefit must be demonstrated over 30 years.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Assess environmental, economic, and community risks.
Identify and evaluate potential short- and long-term impacts.
Plan for mitigation and contingencies.
ORDINANCE FRAMEWORK
PUBLIC REVIEW & ADOPTION
Draft ordinance with clear standards and requirements.
Publish draft for public review (minimum 30 days).
Include zoning, siting, environmental, operational, performance, monitoring, financial assurance, enforcement, and decommissioning.
Planning & Zoning, Township, Utility, and Legal review.
Public hearing(s).
Revise as needed.
POST-ADOPTION IMPLEMENTATION & OVERSIGHT
Require annual reporting from data center operators.
Monitor compliance through inspections and audits.
Report publicly on performance and impacts.
Review ordinance annually and update as needed.
ANNUAL REPORTS SHOULD INCLUDE:
Water use • Tax revenue
Electrical consumption • Environmental monitoring
Jobs and payroll
Noise and light complaints Emergency responses
Emergency responses
Compliance history
Decommissioning fund status
ORDINANCE KEY COMPONENTS (INCLUDED IN PHASE 9)
SITING STANDARDS
INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS
OPERATIONAL STANDARDS
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
FINANCIAL ASSURANCE
ENFORCEMENT
Setbacks & buffers • Noise • Road improvements
Emergency plans
Max decibel levels
Protect public health
Max decibel levels Max light spill
Protect public health
Road bond
Annual inspections | Inspections
Define data center.
Minimum acreage • Lighting
Bridge improvements | Hazardous materials
Max light spill
Emergency response
Stormwater bond
Violations
Emergency response coordination
Independent audits
campus, expansion.
Max footprint Heat
Traffic control
Generator testing
Max water use coordination• Landscaping bond• Water monitoring
Landscaping bond
Civil penalties
and accessory uses
Air emissions
Utility upgrades • Battery storage
Max emissions
Fire safety
Decommissioning
Noise testing
Fire safety
Maintenance
Chemical & fuel storage safety
Specify when permits
Fiber
Maintenance
Max vibration storage safety bond • Lighting verification
Permit revocation
are required • Setbacks & buffers
Building height limits
Water conservation
Utility restoration bond
Power
Snow removal
Annual reporting
Injunction authority
Air & water quality protection
Never permitted
Minimum acreage
Road frontage
Wetlands
Water
Security
Never p by right
by right • Visual screening & • Groundwater
Environmental
[F
[F23]
[F22]
[F2]
landscaping
Tree preservation
cleanup bond
[F3] 2 [F4]
[F25] [F7] [F22]
Dust
DECOMMISSIONING
Foundation Utility
Equipment
Foundation Removal
Soil
Removal Removal Removal Restoration
Removal
Agricultural
Agricultural
Restoration
Bond release only after completion
CROSS-CUTTING PRINCIPLES
AVOIDANCE – Can impacts be avoided?
MINIMIZATION – Can remaining impacts be reduced?
MITIGATION – Can unavoidable impacts be offset?
MONITORING – Will compliance be verified over time?
ENFORCEMENT – Are meaningful remedies available?
DECISION GATE MATRIX (ALL GATES MUST BE PASSED)
1 Comprehensive Plan Consistent with adopted county plans.
2 Site Suitability Outside exclusion areas or meets strict exceptions.
3 Infrastructure Capacity exists or upgrades are fully funded by developers.
4 Environmental Protection Independent studies demonstrate compliance.
5 Fiscal Neutrality Public costs fully covered and long-term benefits demonstrated.
6 Community Compatibility Noise, lighting, traffic, visual impacts meet standards.
7 Financial Assurance Bonds and guarantees in place before construction.
8 Public Interest Board finds project advances public health, safety, and welfare.
10100000000
U
PROTECT LAND. PROTECT RESOURCES. PROTECT OUR FUTURE.