Harmony Data Center Ordinance Recommended by P & Z

The Harmony Planning and Zoning Commission met October 28 to hold a public hearing for the city’s proposed data hearing ordinance. Approximately 20 residents addressed the commission on the subject. Chair Jesse Grabau outlined the evening’s procedure: each speaker was allowed three minutes, the audience was not to address the speaker and all were expected to be respectful. Planning & Zoning would then discuss and make its recommendation.

Robbie Brokken shared her concern about the noise issue. Playing a recording of a data center generator’s noise, she stated that she didn’t want to hear that noise all the time. Erik Olson later asked for more information on the recording; Brokken didn’t know how far the microphone was from that center or how large the center was.

Ann Lyons, administrator of the Facebook group Harmony Data Center Info page, commented on how the information about the center had changed over time. “We were told it would just be four shipping containers; that there would be four jobs; that the closed-loop system would use zero water,” she pointed out. Lyons felt the group had been biased since the beginning.

Janice Huff felt the committee was “chasing a quick buck”; she suggested that there should be a citizen oversight committee and asked why the group was afraid of conducting a citizen survey. She shared details of the power usage of a 55-megawatt center. According to Huff, this would be enough to power 33,000 homes.

Sue Olinger talked about the stress the noise of the data center places on animals, birds and bees. She felt the group was moving too fast and repeated the mantra, “Not in my backyard!”

Miguel Dominguez asked, “Why are we considering this?” He shared his concerns about the massive power usage, air pollution, water consumption and contamination and possible higher energy bills.

Betsy Young, who moved to Harmony from Ohio, shared that she was “devastated” when she heard a data center was to be considered. She felt that the large companies would make big promises and then use loopholes to push around small city councils. She noted that many small cities were passing moratoriums and suggested that Harmony do so as well.

Stuart Morem, EDA president, spoke in favor of the ordinance. He felt the ordinance was a “critical step” so data centers cannot just come in without regulations. The ordinance would provide many added restrictions and regulations.

Amy Bishop pointed out that residents of the city had done the mailings about the data center discussion; they ordered a total of 300 yard signs and door-knocked to discuss the issue with residents. She was disappointed that the committee itself had not done more to hear from the citizens. “I’m not in favor of a data center; this is too fast and too water-and energy-hungry,” Bishop declared.

Aaron Bishop thanked the committee for their work, but wondered whether Harmony should really have a data center. He pointed to the city’s mission to promote health and safety and noted that, in public feedback, people felt the small town feel of Harmony was most important.

Angie Olson, who owns property adjacent to the proposed center, was concerned about her property values and energy bills. She cautioned, “Once this takes place, the impact may not be reversible.”

Nurse Jennifer Bishop pointed out that the low rumble frequency can travel half a mile and disrupt sleep. She also shared that generators could produce 450 to 500 tons of particulate pollution per year and asked that the health of the community be considered.

Both Sara Olson, a 25-year township resident, and Cat Minor of Rushford shared their concern for the unique and fragile driftless area. Minor added, “I believe in caring for what was given to us!” She went on, “We need to protect what we’ve been entrusted with — what we’re leaving for our children!”

Roxanne Johnson noted that she was not against technology, but was in favor of Harmony and preserving what the city has. Johnson had some questions: “Who pays for the infrastructure to get to the data center? How many tax dollars will the city need? Can we limit it to only one data center?”

After the public comment period was finished, P & Z discussed what their recommendation should be. Attorney Greg Schieber reminded the commission of their options: they could recommend the ordinance, they could suggest changes, they could not recommend it, or they could decide to look at it more and take no action at this time.

Jesse Grabau commented that he had visited a smaller 20-megawatt data center in Minnesota recently. According to him, you couldn’t hear its operation outside the building.

After discussion, Planning & Zoning member Miles Petree made a motion to recommend the ordinance; he felt the committee had done their best to ensure that they had addressed noise, water and air pollution concerns. Rod Johnson seconded the motion. The motion passed with Erik Olson dissenting. The recommendation of approval of the ordinance will be presented at the next regular city council meeting on November 10.