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Pennington County commissioners deny temporary zoning ordinance for data centers after extended discussion
Summary
After a multi-hour debate with developers, utilities and county staff, the Pennington County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to deny Ordinance No. 797, a proposed temporary zoning control aimed at pausing new data-center approvals while county staff crafts permanent rules.
The Pennington County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 on April 15 to deny Ordinance No. 797, a proposed temporary zoning ordinance that would have paused data-center applications in county zoning districts while staff wrote permanent rules.
Planning Director Brittney Molitor told commissioners the pause was intended to “allow for some thoughtful planning,” to give staff time to incorporate utility-provider comments and ensure large facilities would come before the Board rather than only the Planning Commission. “We do have an ordinance that we're trying to work through,” Molitor said, adding that the county lacked an existing ordinance with standards for siting and utilities.
The proposal drew extensive comment from county staff, water and utility providers, business groups and economic development representatives. Jason Tennyson, assistant planning…
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