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Residents urge relocation of proposed data center site, citing water and zoning worries
Summary
Residents at a recent county meeting urged officials to reconsider a proposed data center and associated solar project, raising concerns about water use, soil placement and the broad effects of a zoning change that could permit other industrial uses in the area.
Several residents told commissioners at a recent county meeting that a proposed data center and related solar project should be moved to a different site because of concerns about water use, soil placement and the broader effects of rezoning.
John Nye, a resident who identified himself at the meeting, said he and others were surprised by project details disclosed after planning approval, including plans for natural gas and generator backup. "Once you've made the zoning change, anything that fits in that zone is is allowed," Nye said, urging officials to consider moving the project "north and west of the power plant" to keep it out of view and away from populated areas.
Nye warned that multiple large-scale projects—including solar, geothermal and other energy developments supported by the governor—will compete for limited water resources. He criticized the choice of site cited by speakers at the meeting, saying a group called SITRA had picked a location he described as inappropriate and quoting another attendee, Matt Lowe, in criticizing that decision. Nye also raised the issue of soil placement and suggested relocating excavated materials away from the proposed site.
An unidentified speaker who opened the remarks said residents should not be "getting hit blindside" and asked for meeting materials a day or two in advance so the public can review proposals. Donald Brown, another resident, framed his objection around local traditions and access to open desert, saying, "When we're talking AI, it ain't artificial intelligence," and expressing concern that industrial projects would replace places where families currently take their grandchildren to view wildlife.
The transcript of the meeting records these public remarks but does not show any formal motion or vote related to the project. It also does not include departmental responses to the specific proposals or a timetable for next steps. Several speakers urged that the county consider site alternatives and examine zoning consequences before making final land-use decisions.
