Logan council adopts 180-day moratorium on data centers to allow new rules

The Logan City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 26-12, imposing a 180-day moratorium on the establishment of data centers within city limits so staff can draft new land-use regulations and gather public input.

The moratorium, discussed during a public hearing, aims to pause any data-center permitting while the city develops code language and routes it through the planning commission. Craig, a city staff member who advised the council, said an application submitted after the city begins an amendment process must comply with current code but that moving a local ordinance through planning commission and council review can effectively extend the practical timeline beyond the 180 days.

The ordinance drew public support at the hearing. Gail Hansen of Logan said she favored the moratorium and cited concerns about what she described as troubling conduct by the MIA board: "I am in favor of a moratorum and I am in favor of well-considered regulation on data centers within our city limits." Josh Muller, also of Logan, urged the council to act to protect regional resources, arguing that heavy water use associated with some data centers could harm the valley: "A data center would destroy Cash County." Neither allegation prompted a formal rebuttal during the hearing.

A council member moved to adopt Ordinance 26-12; another council member seconded. During discussion, a seconder credited an intern for providing helpful background information and said there were enough outstanding questions to justify a temporary pause while staff develops policy options. When asked who would draft the code, council members and staff identified planning staff and technical staff — including individuals named in the meeting as Russ (community development), Mark (Light & Power), and Paul (water) — as participants in the process.

Council members announced an informal open house for July 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the community conference room for residents to give feedback, and staff said the city would accept written input by email before that date. After the open house and additional staff work, the draft ordinance is expected to go to the planning commission for the standard public-review process, and then return to the council for further action.

The council conducted a roll-call vote and recorded affirmative responses from 'Genie,' 'Ernesto,' 'Katie,' 'Melissa,' and 'Mike' in the transcript; the council announced that Ordinance 26-12 passed. The meeting adjourned following the vote.