City of Council Bluffs
Slightly Pro-Data Center Policies
Council Bluffs approved a specific data center plan, subject to screening, landscaping, parking documentation, and city approval of major changes. Data centers are also allowed in the planned industrial district, but projects still require a development plan.
current law · City of Council BluffsApproves an amended development plan for a Council Bluffs data center, setting site-specific limits and requirements for building height, equipment screening, landscaping, utilities, parking, signage, and future plan changes.Council Bluffs Planned Industrial Development Plan Amendment PI-24-001(M) — Proposed Data Center (2025)
What this means
The amendment would make it easier to build this specific data center by approving its revised development plan for a new data center. It also imposes project-specific requirements, and major future changes need City Council approval, so the benefit is meaningful but limited major modifications.
People behind it
- EDC Omaha Landco LLC
Applicant and property owner that proposed the amendment to the adopted planned industrial development plan for the data center.
- John Dolan
Representative for EDC Omaha Landco LLC in submitting and presenting the plan amendment request.
- Community Development Department
City department that administered the planning review and recommended approval of the plan amendment.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements17
Major changes to the approved development plan—including substantial changes to exterior design or height, building area or lot coverage, or the substation layout—require review by the City Planning Commission and approval by the City Council before construction or changes occur; only minor changes may be approved administratively by the Community Development Director. major modifications ... approved by City Council
The property must be subdivided before construction begins, although the final plat may be completed after construction if the necessary access easements are conveyed during the platting process. subdivision should be completed prior to the commencement of any construction
Principal and accessory structures must have at least a 25-foot perimeter setback, and principal structures are limited to 40 feet in height, measured to the highest point of the parapet wall. minimum perimeter setback of 25 feet
The maximum combined lot coverage for all structures is 60% of the lot area. maximum combined lot coverage
Cooling towers and water tanks may exceed the 40-foot building-height limit only because they are necessary for data-center operations; they are identified as 60 feet tall and must be screened by a 35-foot decorative metal wall. cooling towers and water tanks ... measure 60 feet in height
Fences and walls must comply with the City's fence regulations; the perimeter anti-climb fence may be no more than 10 feet high, substation screening walls must be between 10 and 20 feet high, and no barbed wire is allowed. No barbed wire shall be allowed
Outdoor storage of materials, products, equipment, and packaging is prohibited, including semi-permanent or permanent intermodal containers; only generators, cooling towers, water tanks, and other equipment required to operate the data center may be outdoors. Outdoor storage of materials, products, equipment, or packaging shall not be permitted
Utilities must be installed underground, and the developer—not the City—must pay costs to remove, relocate, modify, or extend utilities; overhead facilities are limited to serving the switchyard and owner-operated substations. Any cost to remove, relocate, modify, and/or extend utilities
Overhead power poles must be no taller than necessary to meet clearance requirements, must be designed or painted to reduce visual impact, and require schematics or renderings to be submitted to the City before installation. height of the poles shall not exceed the minimum height required
Grading and drainage must comply with Public Works standards, and water, power, and gas service must be coordinated with the applicable utility providers. All grading and drainage activity
The developer must provide parking based on an approved parking-demand analysis; the plan shows 201 spaces, and the developer must submit a parking-demand memo before building plans are finalized. A parking-lot permit is also required with the building-permit application. submit a parking demand memo prior to building plans being finalized
At least 20 bicycle-parking spaces must be provided, distributed between the two data-center lots, installed before a certificate of occupancy is issued, and included in the required parking-lot permit. a minimum of 20 bicycle parking spaces shall be provided
Access must use the two approved College Road driveways, including the shared driveway with Black Hills Energy, and the developer must comply with the shared-access easement agreement at all times. subject to the terms and conditions in the shared access easement agreement
All rooftop mechanical equipment visible from a public street and all ground-mounted mechanical equipment visible from a public right-of-way must be screened using architectural features, fencing, masonry walls, landscaping, or a combination of those methods. All ground-mounted mechanical equipment
Exterior lighting must comply with the City's lighting-control ordinance; outdoor light poles are limited to 40 feet and must be painted or finished aluminum or steel, with wood poles prohibited. All outdoor light poles shall be limited to a maximum height of 40 feet
Landscaping plans are required with every building-permit application, and at least one evergreen or deciduous shade tree must be planted every 30 linear feet along College Road, Highway 6, and Interstate 80, subject to specified utility-easement exceptions. A landscaping plan shall be part of every building permit application
Attached, monument, directional, and other on-site signs are subject to size, height, frontage, and building-façade limits, and a sign permit is required with every building-permit application for proposed signage. A sign permit shall be submitted with every building permit application
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions8
The City approved the amendment to the planned industrial development plan, authorizing the revised data-center project, including two data-center buildings, an office/administrative building, owner-operated substations, and related electrical and mechanical yards. request ... is hereby approved
The amended plan allows principal buildings up to 40 feet high and specifically permits the cooling towers and makeup-water tanks in the north mechanical yard to reach 60 feet because they are necessary to operate the data center. shall be allowed to exceed the maximum building height
The outdoor-storage prohibition does not apply to power generators, cooling towers, water tanks, and other mechanical or electrical equipment required for operation of the data center. shall be allowed to be stored outdoors
Although utilities generally must be underground, the plan permits overhead electrical facilities serving the MidAmerican switchyard and the two owner-operated substations. The poles may be as tall as necessary to meet clearance requirements, but not taller than the minimum required. Overhead facilities shall only be allowed
The project may use shared parking between the two data-center lots, and the developer may establish project-specific parking requirements by submitting a parking-demand memo before building plans are finalized. Shared parking between the two lots
The developer may subdivide the property into at least two lots, with the subdivision required before construction begins but the final plat allowed after construction if the necessary access easements are conveyed during platting. the final plat may be executed after
Minor changes to the approved development plan may be approved administratively by the Community Development Director, while only major changes—such as substantial exterior-design, height, building-area, lot-coverage, or substation-layout changes—require Planning Commission review and City Council approval. All minor modifications ... may be administratively approved
The plan allows total structural lot coverage of up to 60 percent, including buildings and outdoor mechanical/electrical yards; the proposed project is identified as using approximately 36.3 percent. The maximum combined lot coverage
Sources
current law · City of Council BluffsApproves a site-specific plan for a new data center, setting rules for its buildings, equipment, screening, landscaping, utilities, parking, and future design changes.Council Bluffs Resolution No. 24-166 — Planned Industrial Development Plan for Proposed Data Center (2024)
What this means
The resolution approves a revised plan for a new data center and allows necessary outdoor cooling and electrical equipment, making this project easier to build (request approved). But it also requires screening, landscaping, parking documentation, and city review of major changes, so the benefit is modest (major modifications).
People behind it
- EDC Omaha Landco LLC
Applicant and developer that submitted the request to amend the adopted planned industrial development plan for the data center.
- Community Development Department
City department that received and reviewed the request, prepared the staff report, and recommended approval.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements19
Construction requires approval of the planned industrial development plan, and any major modification that substantially changes exterior design or appearance, height, building area, lot coverage, or substation layout must receive Planning Commission review and City Council approval before the change is made.
The property must be subdivided into at least two lots before construction begins, although the final plat may be completed after construction if required access easements are conveyed during platting.
Principal structures are limited to 40 feet in height, measured from finished grade to the highest parapet point; accessory structures are limited to 50 feet.
Cooling towers and makeup-water tanks may exceed the 40-foot building-height limit only because they are necessary for data-center operations, and the specified equipment is expected to reach 60 feet.
All principal and accessory structures must maintain a minimum 25-foot perimeter setback.
The combined lot coverage of all structures may not exceed 60 percent of the lot area.
Outdoor storage of materials, products, equipment, packaging, and intermodal containers is prohibited, except that power generators, cooling towers, water tanks, and other mechanical or electrical equipment required to operate the data center may be outdoors.
Utilities must generally be installed underground; overhead facilities are allowed only to serve the specified MidAmerican switchyard and owner-operated substations, with pole heights limited to the minimum required for clearance and subject to City review of pole schematics or renderings.
The developer must pay all costs of removing, relocating, modifying, or extending utilities serving the site.
The project must provide sufficient off-street parking based on a parking-demand memorandum submitted before building plans are finalized; the approved site plan provides 201 parking spaces, and shared parking is allowed between the two data-center lots.
At least 20 bicycle parking spaces must be provided, distributed evenly between the two data-center lots, and installed before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
A parking-lot permit must accompany the building-permit application and identify parking spaces, drive aisles, bicycle parking, pedestrian routes, loading areas, landscaped areas, and lighting.
The development must comply with the shared-access easement governing the driveway shared with the Black Hills Energy facility.
Ground-mounted and rooftop mechanical equipment visible from public rights-of-way must be screened through architectural features, fencing, masonry walls, landscaping, or a combination of these methods.
The project must install specified perimeter fencing and screening, including a maximum 10-foot anti-climb perimeter fence, masonry walls of up to 20 feet around the substations, and 35-foot decorative metal walls around portions of the mechanical yards.
Exterior lighting must comply with the City's lighting-control requirements, and outdoor light poles are limited to 40 feet in height and must be finished aluminum or steel rather than wood.
Landscaping plans must be submitted with every building-permit application, and trees or shrubs must be installed and maintained along specified College Road, East Kanesville Boulevard, and Interstate 80 frontages, subject to utility-easement exceptions and City approval of street-tree species.
Trash receptacles visible from public rights-of-way must be enclosed on three sides and secured with a lockable gate that completely blocks the dumpster from view.
Sign permits must be submitted with every building-permit application for proposed attached, detached, or on-site directional signs, and signage is subject to limits on total area, façade coverage, number, height, and individual sign area.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions9
The amended planned industrial development plan approves construction of the data center project, including two data center buildings, an office/administrative building, mechanical and electrical yards, substations, and related site improvements: the request ... is hereby approved.
Cooling towers and makeup-water tanks up to 60 feet tall may exceed the 40-foot maximum structure height because they are necessary for data-center operations, subject to installation of a 35-foot decorative screening wall at the northeast corner of the north mechanical yard.
Outdoor power generators, cooling towers, water tanks, and other mechanical or electrical equipment required to operate the data center are exempted from the general prohibition on outdoor storage of equipment.
Overhead electric facilities are allowed despite the general requirement that utilities be underground, but only to serve the MidAmerican switchyard and the two owner-operated substations; utility-pole height may not exceed the minimum required for clearance, and pole designs or colors must reduce visual impacts.
The plan authorizes two owner-operated substations serving the data-center buildings and a MidAmerican Energy switchyard, providing project-specific electrical infrastructure within the approved development plan.
The project may use site-specific parking standards rather than automatically providing the standard calculation, provided the developer submits a parking-demand memo before building plans are finalized; shared parking between the two data-center lots is expressly allowed.
The developer may complete the final subdivision plat after construction has been completed, provided the subdivision is completed before construction begins or the necessary access easements are conveyed during the platting process.
Frontage landscaping requirements may be adjusted where utility easements for overhead facilities would conflict with tree planting: those areas may remain unplanted, and shrubs may replace trees along the northern edge of the switchyard so power lines are not obstructed.
Minor changes to the approved development plan may be approved administratively by the Community Development Director; only major changes—such as substantial exterior or height changes, material increases in building area or lot coverage, or substantial substation-layout changes—require Planning Commission review and City Council approval.
Sources
current law · City of Council BluffsAllows data centers as a permitted primary use in the city’s Planned Industrial District.Council Bluffs Municipal Code §15.03.176 — Data Center Definition
What this means
The measure would allow data centers as a principal use in the P-I district, expanding where they may be built beyond the I-2 district (data centers are currently only allowed in I-2). Projects would still need to follow the district’s planned development requirements, so this is a meaningful but limited benefit.
People behind it
- Community Development Department
Proposed the amendment to add data centers as a principal use in the P-I/Planned Industrial District.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
Data centers may operate as a principal use only in the I-2 or P-I zoning districts; the measure does not authorize them as a principal use in other districts.
A data center developed in the P-I District must comply with a planned industrial development plan, which regulates site development, off-street parking, architecture, landscaping, and signage.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Adds “data center” as a principal use in the P-I/Planned Industrial District, making data centers eligible to seek development approval in that district; properties in the P-I District must still adopt a planned industrial development plan regulating site development, parking, architecture, landscaping, and signage. The amendment adds “data center” as a principal use
Sources
current law · City of Council BluffsAllows data centers as a permitted primary use in Council Bluffs’ Planned Industrial (P-I) District.Council Bluffs Municipal Code §15.19.020 Amendment — Planned Industrial District Data-Center Use (2025)
What this means
The measure would make data centers an allowed principal use in the P-I district, expanding where they can be built beyond the I-2 district (data centers are currently only allowed in I-2). P-I properties still need a planned development plan, so this is a useful but limited zoning benefit, not a removal of all development controls (planned industrial development plan).
People behind it
- Community Development Department
Applicant and department proposing the amendment to allow data centers as a principal use in the P-I/Planned Industrial District.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Data centers in the P-I/Planned Industrial District must be developed under a planned industrial development plan, which regulates site development, off-street parking, architecture, landscaping, and signage.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
Adds “data center” as a principal use in the P-I/Planned Industrial District, allowing data centers to be established in that zoning district rather than being limited to the I-2 District.
Allows eligible P-I properties to use the planned industrial development process, under which site development, parking, architecture, landscaping, and signage are regulated through an approved plan; development of P-I properties is subject to this plan requirement.
Sources
failed · City of Council BluffsProhibits the City of Council Bluffs from accepting or processing most new data center development applications for up to 12 months while it studies their effects and considers new regulations.Council Bluffs Resolution No. 26-218 — Data-Center Application Moratorium (2026)
What this means
The measure would pause most new data center construction and expansions for up to 12 months, or until the city adopts new rules sooner. Existing projects and certain projects already approved or formally underway are exempt, but new proposals would face a major delay.
Timing
- Ends
- 12 months from the date of passage, or until the City Council formally adopts a comprehensive ordinance addressing data center development, whichever occurs first
The City Council may lawfully extend the moratorium or terminate it earlier. The exemptions and other provisions remain in effect.
People behind it
- Jill K. Almonte
Proposed the moratorium and, as mayor, is responsible for coordinating its implementation and providing progress updates.
- City Council of Council Bluffs
Adopted the resolution and retains authority to extend, terminate, or amend the moratorium.
- Director of Community Development
Directed to identify and coordinate land-use, planning, zoning, and related studies and assist the Planning Commission.
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- Planning Commission
Directed to develop and recommend comprehensive amendments to regulate data center development.
- Director of Public Works
Directed to identify and coordinate infrastructure and utility studies related to data center development.
- City Attorney
Directed to provide legal assistance and oversight to ensure the moratorium process remains legally compliant.
- Director of Finance
Directed to estimate the costs of the required studies and help determine how they will be financed.
- City Clerk
Directed to place a standing Data Center Moratorium section on City Council study-session agendas.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
Imposes an immediate moratorium on accepting, processing, and approving zoning amendments, site plans, or building permits for the construction or expansion of data centers. The moratorium lasts 12 months from June 15, 2026, or until the City Council adopts a comprehensive data-center ordinance, whichever occurs first; the Council may extend it or end it earlier.
Requires City staff and the Planning Commission to study data-center impacts and develop recommended comprehensive planning or zoning regulations before new development can proceed after the moratorium, including potential rules on water, electricity, wastewater, noise, heat, pollution, zoning districts, setbacks, and financial impacts.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions5
Data centers with a valid building permit issued before the resolution’s effective date are exempt from the moratorium, although the permit covers only the specifically identified structures. Issued Building Permits
A complete building-permit application accepted before the resolution’s effective date may continue through processing under the regulations in effect when it was submitted. Pending Building Permit Applications
A data center or expansion with a qualifying preexisting grading permit is exempt if the permit was issued before the resolution, the developer made substantial expenditures in reliance on it, and the project was not abandoned for 12 months or more. Grading Permits with Substantial Reliance
A developer with a currently operative city economic-development agreement covering a specifically identified parcel may proceed despite the moratorium. The protection is parcel-specific and applies independently to each covered parcel, even without a building permit or particular expenditure. Existing Economic Development Agreements
The moratorium is temporary: it lasts for 12 months or until the City Council adopts a comprehensive data-center ordinance, whichever comes first, and the Council may terminate it earlier. period of twelve (12) months
Sources
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