Morton County Planning and Zoning Commission 2026-07-22

The Morton County Planning and Zoning Commission held a meeting on July 22, 2026, primarily focused on discussing the draft ordinance regulating data centers within the county. The commission reviewed proposed land use code amendments, including provisions for noise control, energy generation facilities, setbacks from residences, and environmental protections such as closed-loop cooling systems. Public comments were extensive, with community members expressing concerns about noise pollution, environmental impacts, enforcement of regulations, and the potential effects on local infrastructure and wildlife. The commission clarified that no final decisions would be made at this meeting and that the city of Mandan would hold a separate public hearing on August 24, 2026, for its own data center ordinance. The discussion also highlighted challenges related to jurisdictional authority between the county and city, enforcement limitations, and the potential influence of upcoming state legislation on local zoning authority. The commission elected a new chairperson and acknowledged the need for further refinement of the ordinance before forwarding recommendations to the county commission.