On the agenda: Madison Planning Commission September 15, 2026 — data center (Sep 15)

PLANNING COMMISSION/
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING
CITY COMMISSION ROOM
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
7:00am
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 11, 2026, Planning Commission Minutes
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 11, 2026, Board of Adjustment Minutes
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
OLD BUSINESS (Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment): None
NEW BUSINESS (Board of Adjustment):
1. Hearing on Appeal No. 767 & 768 – Simple Mining LLC for a conditional use
application that if granted would allow the applicant to construct a 10 MW hydrocooled (dry cooler) modular data facility AND for a variance that if approved would
permit the applicant to use material defined as sheet siding in the GT-1 District. The
properties are legally described as Block One Ash Hill Addition to the City of Madison
in the SW1/4 of Section 8, TWP 106-N R52 W of the 5th PM and The South Sixty-six
Feet (66’) of the East Three Hundred Thirty Feet (330’) Lot Thirteen (13) Block Three
(3) Shimerda’s Addition to the City of Madison, South Dakota.
2. Decision on Variance Appeal No. 768 – Simple Mining LLC
3. Decision on Conditional Use Appeal No. 767 – Simple Mining LLC
NEW BUSINESS (Planning Commission): None
PUBLIC INPUT:
ADJOURNMENT:
Any person with a disability wishing to attend any board meeting who may require
special arrangements may contact the Finance Office at 256-7500 and all attempts
shall be made to accommodate those requests.
Join the meeting via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88197604793
Meeting ID 881 9760 4793

1

PLANNING COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF MADISON
August 11, 2026
7:00 am
Chairman John Groce called the meeting to order at 7:02 am. The following members were
present for roll call: John Groce, Jim Iverson, Bob Maxwell, Kerry Barlow, Roger Olson, Jacob
DeBoer and Travis Olson. Ryan Hegg, Dan Whitlock, Chad Van Den Hemel, Jennifer
Hasleton, Jeff Wieman, Michael Wheeler, Jesse Peterson, Roy Lindsay and Brooke Rollag
were also in attendance.
Motion by Commissioner DeBoer to approve June 9, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting
Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Maxwell. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Commissioner Iverson to approve the August 11, 2026, agenda. Seconded by
Commissioner Roger Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Commissioner Roger Olson, seconded by Commissioner DeBoer to move into
Board of Adjustment at 7:04 am. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Commissioner Roger Olson, seconded by Commissioner DeBoer to move out of
Board of Adjustment and into Planning Commission at 7:37 am. Motion carried unanimously.
Approve Plat of Lot 11 in Block 8 of Lakeview Industrial Park Addition to the City of Madison,
Lake County, South Dakota. Motion to approve plat made by Commissioner Iverson,
seconded by Commissioner DeBoer. Motion passed unanimously.
Approve Plat of Tract 1 of Ramar Addition to the City of Madison, Lake County, South Dakota.
Motion to approve plat made by Commissioner Maxwell, seconded by Commissioner Iverson.
Motion passed unanimously.
Public Input: Discussion on future road vacate processes.
Commissioner Roger Olson motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner DeBoer.
Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:52 am.
Dan Whitlock
Planning Commission

2

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF MADISON
August 11, 2026
The Planning Commission motioned to move into the Board of adjustment at 7:04 am.
The following members were present for roll call: John Groce, Jim Iverson, Travis
Olson, Jacob DeBoer, Bob Maxwell, Roger Olson and Kerry Barlow. Also present were
Administrative Officials Roy Lindsay, Ryan Hegg and Dan Whitlock. The following
people were in attendance in addition to the Board, Jennifer Hasleton, Chad Van Den
Hemel, Jeff Wieman, Michael Wheeler, Jesse Peterson and Brooke Rollag.
This being the time and place set for the hearing on variance Appeal Request No. 765
Jesse Peterson for a variance that if granted, would permit the applicant to construct a
24’x40’ garage with a 4’ side setback in lieu of 7.5’ in a R-90 zone located at 609 West
Avenue N. Addition would match the house. No opposition from neighbors. Discussion
regarding ensuring the rain gutter to face the street and to the south neighbor’s
property.
There were no additional opponents or proponents. Chairman Groce closed the public
hearing and proceeded to the decision agenda item for appeal. Motion by Mr. Maxwell
second by Mr. Barlow to approve Appeal No. 765. Roll call vote taken. Motion passed
unanimously.
This being the time and place set for the hearing on variance Appeal Request No. 766
Michael Wheeler for a variance application that if approved would permit the applicant
to construct an 8’x16’ shed with a 10’side setback in lieu of 25’ in a R-60 zone located at
415 West Avenue N. The building will be stick built with siding and roof to match the
house.
There were no additional opponents or proponents. Chairman Groce closed the public
hearing and proceeded to the decision agenda item for appeal. Motion by Mr. Iverson
second by Mr. Roger Olson to approve Appeal No. 766. Roll call vote taken. Motion
passed unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Roger Olson, second by Mr. DeBoer to move out of the Board of
Adjustment at 7:37am. Motion carried unanimously.
Dan Whitlock
Board of Adjustment

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Board Members,
Tony Wortman from Northfolk Nebraska lives within half mile of a data center in Stanton
NE. You can call him to ask questions at Business 402-321-7866 Cell 402-640-4027.
Prefers business number during day time hours.
Below are two links to view the Salix Iowa Town Council Meeting You Tube videos:
https://youtu.be/yJ7ucuU1P3M
https://youtu.be/Pbgafi1W-Vo
Tony speaks at the 56:00 minute mark.
I am offering to finance commission members to visit the facility in Stanton NE to see
and hear the data center.
Attached are also some pages of research and references of how data center noise
impacts health and environment.

Craig Hoffman
605.480.3804

18

19

20

21

22