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Commission approves Fervo Energy site plan with lighting and height conditions
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Summary
The Milford Planning and Zoning Commission approved Fervo Energys site plan April 8, 2026, allowing a 32-foot office/garage building, requiring building-mounted lighting plus one light on an existing pole at the intersection, and postponing full pavement of 900 North until future development triggers reconsideration.
The Milford City Planning and Zoning Commission approved the site plan for Fervo Energy on April 8, 2026, setting building height at 32 feet and requiring the developer to install building-mounted lighting and one light on an existing pole to illuminate the intersection. Commissioners also accepted a landscaping buffer on the propertys west side and confirmed utilities work (extension of 8-inch water and sewer mains and three fire hydrants) is part of the plan.
Staff member Lisa reviewed setbacks, parking (36 spaces including four ADA spots), drainage (an infiltration basin and catch basins), and utilities. She cited Milford code sections on lighting: "13.030.01 states shall provide for adequate street lighting to service the proposed development" and "15.060.01 states street lights shall be placed and situated to meet spacings of 500-foot intervals at entrances and intersections." Lisa explained the code language and noted that the property sits 66 feet from the residentially zoned area; the proposed building height of 32 feet therefore sits below the residential-zone allowance of 35 feet and staff recommended approval with the agreed lighting compromise.
Russ, a Fervo Energy representative, told the commission the company aims to avoid light pollution while providing adequate security lighting and that extensive pole-mounted lighting would raise costs. "We don't wanna put them in because it's gonna cost money," Russ said, adding that a full perimeter pole-lighting buildout had been estimated at about $200,000 as a comparison figure by the developer.
Commissioners discussed the most appropriate solution and settled on a compromise: allow building-mounted lighting and require one downward-facing LED fixture on an existing power pole at the intersection to light the entrance; the commission agreed to revisit lighting after construction if on-site conditions show a gap. The commission also agreed that full pavement of 900 North would not be required now because the council determined a full improvement would not be roughly proportionate to the impact of this limited office use; the city will revisit pavement requirements if future development occurs to the north or west.
A motion to approve the site plan as presented with those lighting and height conditions passed in a roll-call vote with recorded support from Nick, Luke, Lanae, Garland and Wayne; one commissioner, Chancey, abstained. Staff noted that building permits remain subject to final building-department approval and that the city and developer will complete easement and sidewalk alignment work before final construction.