Decorah IA proposed data center ordinance (2026)

First reading passed unanimously at the Monday council meeting reported Sept. 24, 2026 (Decorah News published Thu. Sept. 24, 2026 and says 'Monday' = Mon. Sept. 21, 2026). Scope: data centers and cryptocurrency mining centers; permitted in M-3 General Industrial. Setbacks: buildings 500 ft from residential zoning; backup generators, substations, cooling equipment 750 ft (greater when warranted). Prohibited within 1,000 ft of natural/public waterways, water sources, USGS-identified sinkholes or 500-year floodplain. Before a building permit: written utility verification of maximum electrical demand, available capacity, required infrastructure and effects on municipal utility operations. Water: air-cooled or closed-loop cooling; no groundwater/surface water for cooling unless Council approves after Water and Public Works review; projected demand and conservation plan; no on-site well (City Manager Travis Goedken). Noise: 55 dB (or 60 dBC) at property line adjacent to residential zoning; equipment specs; post-construction sound testing possible. Emergency/security: backup power, fire safety and emergency operations plans, controlled access, fencing, 24-hour monitoring, annual coordination with fire department. Decommissioning plan before construction; decommissioning may be required after 12 months of continuous non-operation. Council declined a moratorium (legal-defensibility concerns). NOT ESTABLISHED: ordinance number; dates of second/third readings.