Clinton IA data center fight shifts from moratorium vote to draft zoning rules

Clinton’s push for a temporary data-center moratorium stalled at an early step last month, and the City is now moving into a zoning-regulations phase that could shape how future proposals are reviewed.

On June 12, 2026, the City of Clinton said its City Council did not approve the proposed temporary moratorium on first reading. According to the City, that vote did not approve a data-center plan and did not advance the ordinance for additional readings.

June 12: the moratorium failed on first reading

In a June 12 press release, the City said the moratorium was introduced as an ordinance and “failed on its first reading,” so it “did not advance and will not return for additional readings.” The City also emphasized what the failed vote did not do: it did not approve a site plan, development agreement, construction, public incentives, or any final project.

The City framed its next step as continuing due diligence, gathering additional information, developing appropriate regulations, and involving the public in the process. The release also said the Council’s action does not predetermine the ultimate outcome of any future proposal.

The release included a statement attributable to QTS saying it remains in the “due diligence phase” and has “not yet submitted a formal development plan” to City staff. QTS said it would follow the City’s standard development review and permitting process required of all projects if a proposal advances, and it referenced the City’s work to establish zoning standards for data centers.

What the failed ordinance would have done (in plain terms)

The proposed ordinance text sets out a short-term prohibition tied to when zoning rules are ready. The draft defines “data centers” broadly, including facilities used to store, manage, process, or transmit digital data, along with major supporting infrastructure such as computer servers, network equipment, cooling and electrical systems, backup generation, fire suppression, security, and utilities.

Under the draft’s structure, “data centers” would have been prohibited for a period of 120 days or until the City Council approves zoning amendments after the zoning authorities provide a recommendation—whichever came later.

July 15: special Plan Commission review of draft data-center zoning

With the moratorium effort stalled, the next procedural stop is a special Plan Commission meeting.

KROS Radio reported that the City will hold a special Plan Commission meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at Eagle Point Lodge. KROS said the purpose is for commissioners to review a proposed data-center ordinance and provide a recommendation to the City Council, and that the meeting agenda (including the draft ordinance) would be posted to allow the public time to review in advance.

KROS also noted the Plan Commission’s role: it reviews and discusses proposals and makes recommendations, but it does not make final decisions on ordinances or zoning changes. The City Council makes the final decision after the commission’s input.

Why residents should pay attention

The City’s stated goal is to establish clear, enforceable standards for future data-center proposals. The June 12 press release said the ordinance the City is developing is expected to address topics including water use, utilities and power demand, noise, lighting, setbacks and buffering, traffic and stormwater, emergency response, environmental compliance, decommissioning, and enforcement.

Even though the moratorium ordinance did not move forward after the June 12 first-reading vote, the underlying conversation is continuing—now focused on the zoning framework that could govern where data centers can operate and what operating rules may apply in Clinton’s industrial districts.

If you want to weigh in, the near-term opportunity will come during the public-review/public-comment process tied to the July 15 Plan Commission review—before any final City Council action.

Sources

• City of Clinton press release: “Reaffirms Public Process Following Data Center Moratorium Vote”
• KROS Radio: “Special Plan Commission Meeting” (July 15 context and purpose)
• City of Clinton (Newsflash): “Special Plan Commission Meeting”