Dubuque County Board of Supervisors Packet Summary — June 23, 2026
Meeting Overview
The Dubuque County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 6:30 PM at the Peosta Rec. Center, 7896 Burds Rd #9646, Peosta, Iowa. The agenda includes a presentation on the draft Dubuque County Data Center Planning Process and a data center discussion and questions item.
Key Items on the Agenda
Draft Data Center Planning Process
The packet includes a draft planning process for addressing proposed large-scale industrial and/or hyperscale data center developments in unincorporated areas of Dubuque County. The draft outlines a proposed framework for evaluating future data center applications, rezoning requests, permits, and related infrastructure approvals.
The draft planning process describes potential requirements during a proposed one-year moratorium period, including development of a Data Center Ordinance, completion of assessments and reviews, and public engagement activities.
Data Center Discussion and Questions
The agenda includes time for data center discussion and questions. The packet materials provide background on the draft planning process and identify areas the County proposes to study, review, and address before considering future data center proposals.
Proposed Planning and Review Framework
Ordinance Development
The draft planning process proposes development and public review of a comprehensive Data Center Ordinance addressing topics including:
- Land use and zoning standards.
- Agricultural land preservation.
- Water usage and resource protection.
- Utility and power infrastructure impacts.
- Noise and lighting standards.
- Emergency response and fire suppression requirements.
- Environmental protections, including air quality, waste discharge, and stormwater management.
- Road use and infrastructure impacts.
- Setbacks, buffering, and screening requirements.
- Decommissioning and bonding requirements.
Required Assessments
The draft identifies proposed evaluations and reviews related to:
- Infrastructure and road impacts.
- Water usage and resources.
- Emergency services capabilities.
- Environmental and land use compatibility.
- Utility and electrical grid impacts.
- Neighboring property impacts.
- Health impacts and standards.
Public Engagement and Timeline
The draft planning process proposes several public participation steps, including:
- A minimum of four public town hall meetings by October 1, 2026.
- Weekly public ordinance review sessions involving Supervisors and staff beginning the week of June 8/22, 2026.
- A final public hearing before ordinance consideration.
The draft timeline identifies the following proposed milestones:
- Within 60 days: Completion of ordinance gap analysis.
- Within 120 days: Release of an initial public ordinance draft.
- Within 180 days: Completion of public hearings and an updated ordinance draft.
- Within 300 days: Release of a final ordinance draft.
- Prior to expiration: Formal public hearing and Board consideration.
Moratorium Proposal
The draft planning process describes proposed moratorium restrictions that would apply while the County completes studies, ordinance development, and public engagement. The draft states that during the moratorium:
- Data center applications would not be accepted or processed.
- Data center-related rezoning or special use approvals would not proceed.
- Vested development rights related to data center development would not be established.
What to Watch at the Meeting
The Board is expected to review the draft Data Center Planning Process and hear discussion and questions related to data center planning. Topics likely to receive attention include proposed ordinance development, infrastructure impacts, environmental considerations, public engagement requirements, and the process for evaluating future data center proposals.
