Resident Data Center Study Committee
At the City Council Meeting on Aug. 25, the Ames City Council voted to move forward on a plan to convene a "Study Committee" to develop recommendations around environmental impacts not considered in 12 items referred to staff at the July 28 meeting. These concerns with new development focus on heat generation and localized temperature increases, and impacts on wildlife, habitats, and human health.
Council Members Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen, Gloria Betcher, and ex-officio Iowa State University student Trey Anderson will spearhead the committee.
The charge of the Resident Data Center Study Committee is fourfold:
- To find and evaluate published factual sources and data related to the above topics, seeking to present all sides of the issues and help Council to understand the context for these issues,
- To identify reliable resources for Council to consider as it develops data center policies,
- To deliver a report that explains and/or summarizes the findings presented in these resources and that provides links to the sources themselves, without arguing in favor of or against particular action, and
- To present this report in a Council meeting for discussion.
Study Committee Tentative Timeline:
Wednesday, Sept. 9: Application closes
Sunday, Sept. 13: Deadline for Council Subcommittee to choose committee members
Tuesday, Sept. 22: Council approves members at the Special Meeting of the Ames City Council
By Wednesday, Sept. 30: First meeting held
September to December: Meetings decided upon by the Study Committee held
By Thursday, Dec. 31: First round of research completed
By Monday, Jan. 31, 2027: Second round of research completed, if needed
By Sunday, Feb. 28, 2027: Report delivered to City Council for presentation and deliberation
March 2027: Study Committee presents report to Ames City Council
Meeting Materials:
September 29, 2026, Resident Data Center Study Committee Agenda(PDF, 44KB)