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Planning commission backs removal of by‑right data‑center uses and adopts overlay requiring rezone, environmental reviews
Summary
In unanimous votes on Sept. 10, the Provo Planning Commission recommended code changes removing data centers as permitted uses in multiple zones and proposed a data‑center overlay that would require a site rezone, environmental and energy reviews, and community‑benefit plans for major installations.
The Provo Planning Commission unanimously recommended two related changes on Sept. 10: first, to remove data centers as permitted or conditional uses in the city’s zoning map; second, to adopt a new data‑center overlay and related policy standards that would require any prospective data center to seek a rezone for an overlay and to submit detailed environmental, energy and water usage plans for review by staff, UMPA (the municipal power agency) and elected officials.
Why it matters: Data centers can have substantial electricity and, in some cooling systems, water demands; commissioners and staff framed the overlay as a way to make prospective data‑center proposals subject to public scrutiny and to require applicants to demonstrate mitigation strategies before the city grants a site‑specific overlay. Planning staff said the overlay will apply to commercial and light industrial zones where such uses could be reasonably…
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