Comments Requested on Data Center Regulations

posted on 10/16/26
posted by Community & Economic Development (Planning & Zoning)

Dear Woodbury County Stakeholder,

The Woodbury County Zoning Commission is continuing to evaluate potential updates to the Woodbury County Zoning Ordinance, including the possibility of a zoning ordinance text amendment or a new standalone ordinance that would specifically regulate data centers within the unincorporated areas of the county. As part of this process, the Commission is undertaking a review to better understand how data center development may impact our communities, infrastructure, land use patterns, and long‑term planning objectives.

Because you are a valued stakeholder in Woodbury County, we respectfully invite you to share your perspective to help inform this important effort. Your insights are critical in ensuring that any proposed regulations thoughtfully balance economic development opportunities with the preservation of community character, responsible land use, and the wellbeing of residents.

We encourage you to provide any and all input you believe should be considered by the Zoning Commission and the Board of Supervisors, including but not limited to:

• Considerations related to appropriate zoning districts or potential siting requirements
• Environmental, infrastructure, and utility‑related impacts
• Economic development implications, both opportunities and concerns
• Land use compatibility with surrounding properties
• Public health, safety, and welfare considerations
• Recommended design standards, operational guidelines, or performance expectations
• Permitting process recommendations, such as the use of conditional use permits or other regulatory mechanisms
• Any other observations, questions, or priorities you feel are important for the County to evaluate as part of this ordinance‑development process

Your comments may be submitted in writing or shared during upcoming public town hall meetings (details below), which are designed to gather broad community and stakeholder feedback. Written comments may be mailed to:

Woodbury County Planning and Zoning
620 Douglas Street, Sixth Floor
Sioux City, IA 51101

Or emailed directly to me at dpriestley@woodburycountyiowa.gov.

We greatly appreciate your willingness to participate and your commitment to helping Woodbury County address this matter. Your perspective will play an important role in shaping recommendations presented to the Board of Supervisors. If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact me at directly at (712) 279‑6609. Thank you for your time and engagement.

UPCOMING TOWNHALL MEETINGS:

Please know, the next Townhall Meeting regarding data centers will be held at the Salix Community Center (317 Tipton St., Salix, IA) on Monday, November 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM.  A subsequent townhall will be held at the Correctionville Community Center (312 Driftwood St., Correctionville, IA) on Monday, January 18, 2027 at 7:00 PM.

Sincerely,
Daniel Priestley

Woodbury County Zoning Coordinator

620 Douglas Street #609

Sioux City, IA 51101

 

Phone: 712-279-6609

Fax: 712-279-6530

Website: WoodburyCountyIowa.gov