Planning commission recommends allowing data centers and private power plants in airport industrial zone, 4-3

The Provo City Planning Commission on Feb. 26 recommended approval of a zoning text amendment that would add data centers and self‑serve power plants to the list of permitted uses in the Airport Industrial zone, approving the measure 4‑3 and attaching conditions that public works and the city’s power officials must resolve emissions, water use and fuel‑source issues before the change goes to the City Council.

The amendment, requested by John Jensen, would allow data centers on approximately 30 acres now zoned AI in the city. Nancy Robinson, planning staff, told commissioners the city’s review found the proposal "a reasonable land use request if the significant infrastructure impacts and needs can be met" and recommended the Planning Commission forward the proposed ordinance to City Council with conditions on emissions, low water usage and confirmation of sufficient utility infrastructure.

Why it matters: the change would clear a land‑use hurdle for large computing facilities that require unusual amounts of power (and historically have required significant water for cooling). Commissioners and staff described the proposal as an opening for major private investment but said the city, Provo Power and the joint action agency UMPA must resolve whether the electric grid and water resources can meet a data center’s needs without harming reliability for residents or violating FAA and air‑quality constraints.

Staff summary and conditions Nancy Robinson told the commission the AI zone was written differently from other zones and currently covers roughly 30 acres in Provo. She said the applicant asked only to add "data centers" to…