Even without a data center application on the table, Moffat County officials in Colorado have started to examine whether existing zoning rules are equipped to handle one, according to the Steamboat Pilot & Today.
What happened?
The Moffat County Planning and Zoning Commission voted at its Aug. 5 meeting to adopt a resolution starting a review of whether the county's zoning rules adequately address data centers.
That action neither approved a project nor changed zoning rules, and it didn't establish a moratorium.
Moffat County Planning Director Candace Miller said the purpose of the effort is to get the county ready for a possible future application.
"We have no project to review," Miller told the commission, according to the outlet.
When someone asked if the county wanted a data center to be in the area, Miller also said, "There is no recommendation."
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Because the county's current zoning resolution does not specifically define or regulate data centers, officials are trying to determine what kinds of facilities might be allowed and where they could be located.
Miller said the review will begin with definitions and classifications. It could later expand to topics like electrical demand, air quality, and agriculture.
The planning commission's next regular meeting is Sept. 2, and officials said future discussions will remain open for public comment.
Why does it matter?
Communities are concerned about data centers because they can consume massive amounts of electricity and, in some cases, significant amounts of water for cooling.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
During public comment in Moffat County, residents repeatedly mentioned drought conditions, low flows in the Yampa River, grid capacity, utility costs, backup generators, and light and noise pollution.
AI can help utilities integrate more wind and solar power and forecast demand.
At the same time, that resource strain remains. And the computing infrastructure behind AI can increase pollution if they use polluting energy sources. It's also fueling concerns about security, misuse, and unintended economic effects such as higher energy bills.
Residents also questioned whether data centers would create enough local jobs to justify those tradeoffs.
While construction can bring temporary work, some speakers argued that permanent jobs could be limited or require specialized skills that are not always available locally.
What's being done?
County officials are gathering information rather than making a yes-or-no call on data centers.
The commission will study which kinds of data centers belong in heavy industrial, light industrial, commercial, business, or other zoning districts. It may eventually recommend regulations or restrictions, or advise against allowing certain types of facilities.
Miller said the county will continue taking written and oral comments throughout the process.
She told the commission that its job is to build a "defensible, fact-based recommendation" for the Moffat County Board of County Commissioners. The board would have final authority over any zoning amendment after notices and public hearings.
In a message left for the Craig Press, according to the Pilot & Today, Club 20 Executive Director Wade Haerle said Club 20 plans to host "an open house on data centers to see what the community's concerns are, what their thoughts are, those kinds of things."
The meeting is expected to occur on Aug. 27, but there isn't an exact time and location yet.
"It's going to be an open conversation looking at the nuisance issues, looking at the economic development issues, employment, taxes, all those kind of things," Haerle said.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
