(Spirit Lake)– A 15 month moratorium on the issuance of permits for industrial scale data centers, bit coin operations, battery storage and solar facilities was a topic of discussion at today’s (Tues.) Dickinson County Board of Supervisors meeting. Supervisor Steve Clark brought the matter to the table saying he’s been hearing about concerns over what’s happening with those facilities in central Iowa. He also says the timing is right for Dickinson county to be considering a moratorium…
“I think it’s prudent since we’re changing and updating the county land use plan to put anything like this on hold until our zoning board and our supervisors can decide if this is something we want to allow in our area. I think it’s protective of the water quality, protective of the citizens to do so.”
Fellow supervisor Kim Wermersen expressed some concern over the proposed moratorium…
“Here’s where I get caught up in this because we appointed a Planning and Zoning Commission. They have not been involved in this at all. I don’t believe the Director of Planning and Zoning was talked about what went into this moratorium at all.”
Supervisor Chairman Bill Leupold echoed the concern…
“I think they should be taken one at a time on their merit or lack there of.”
The supervisors took no action on the proposed moratorium, effectively tabling it for two weeks. Several said they want an opportunity to address it in a joint meeting next week with the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
