Lyon County to move Silver Springs Technology Park development agreement to public hearing

Commissioners gave initial approval to place a proposed development agreement for the Silver Springs Technology Park on a future public hearing, a step toward permitting a 460‑acre data‑center project west of U.S. Highway 95A and north of U.S. 50 in Silver Springs.

The development agreement, prepared by county staff and the developer TRAC Capital Management LP, lays out review steps for substations, water tanks and roadway improvements and sets a 20‑year term tied to the developer’s acquisition of the property. Gavin Anderson, Lyon County Community Development Director, told commissioners the agreement was written to match the specific plan the board approved in March and to reflect that the region currently lacks build‑ready power to serve large data centers.

Why it matters: The project would add high‑power industrial development to the Silver Springs area and requires substantial utility, road and land‑use approvals. County staff said the agreement tries to balance the developer’s investment timeline with requirements that public infrastructure built by the developer be inspected and accepted before county maintenance and dedication.

Key provisions outlined by staff include streamlined administrative design review for substations and water tanks when those facilities are located inside a Bureau of Land Management‑identified above‑ground utility corridor; the developer will construct public road improvements to county standards and responsibility for acceptance and dedication remains with the county; and the agreement explicitly contemplates a reimbursement process for certain developer‑constructed improvements under County Code Title 15 when other future development benefits from those improvements.

Gavin Anderson, Lyon County Community Development Director, summarized the term: "The term of the agreement is, 20 years." He also said the agreement requires the developer to provide biennial progress updates to the county to keep the project moving during the extended timeline.

Mitch Nelson, representing TRAC Capital Management LP, said the agreement "doesn't deviate from a specific plan" and stressed the developer’s intent to coordinate with NV Energy and other partners to secure power to the site. Nelson added that reimbursement language exists as a code‑based option but that TRAC does not currently expect to rely on reimbursement in the near term.

Commissioners and staff discussed the county’s existing process for reimbursement agreements (used previously when a private developer built a lift station and subsequent connections paid pro rata shares). Staff emphasized that any reimbursement agreement must return to the Board for public hearings and formal approval and that Chapter 15.120 of Lyon County Code governs eligibility and process.

The board accepted a motion to set the proposed ordinance and development agreement for a public hearing; the transcript records the motion and the chair’s direction to place the item on an upcoming agenda for public hearing and final consideration. The county attorney and staff will finalize language and include required findings and notices ahead of the hearing.

Looking ahead: The development agreement will be noticed as an ordinance public hearing; if the board approves after the hearing, subsequent permits — including administrative design reviews or conditional use permits for substations or tanks if outside prescribed corridors — would follow the normal permitting process.