Story County supervisors remove data-center section from draft ordinance, direct moratorium extension after extensive public hearing

Story County Board of Supervisors members on March 3 amended a proposed zoning text change on digital asset mining, data centers and utility-scale battery storage to remove the section governing data centers and directed staff to pursue a temporary moratorium extension while the county crafts additional safeguards.

The change came after a two-hour public hearing during which multiple residents and conservation advocates urged stronger protections or a permanent moratorium, citing water use, energy demand, land loss and long-term local costs. Leanne Harter, Story County director of planning and development, told the board the ordinance (TA26-000002 / ordinance 3-30) was staff-initiated to add definitions and supplemental standards for several new uses and that staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended modified adoption with second…