Planning commission recommends new zoning districts, conditional rules for data centers

The City of Box Elder Planning Commission on Oct. 20 recommended that City Council adopt Ordinance No. 774, which adds several zoning districts and updates landscaping and use tables in Chapter 44 of the municipal code.

"Mixed use means that you have commercial and residential on the same parcel," Laurie Patton (staff) explained during the hearing, offering examples such as storefronts with living quarters above. The new districts proposed include neighborhood commercial to provide a buffer between concentrated residential areas and commercial activity; mixed‑use; rural residential with a 3‑acre minimum consistent with septic standards; and a 'commercial flex' zone to allow developers flexibility on parking and lot size in exchange for enhanced landscaping or public spaces.

Patton also said the commission discussed treating casinos and liquor establishments as conditional uses and limiting data centers to general light industrial zoning with a conditional‑use review because each data center’s electrical, water and cooling needs differ and require project‑specific evaluation.

Commissioner Kristen Levine moved to recommend the ordinance to council; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call.

If adopted by City Council, the changes will alter where and how particular kinds of commercial, mixed‑use and industrial projects can locate in Box Elder and add procedural steps for conditional‑use reviews on certain uses.