Planning director outlines zoning amendments, data-center work and state housing study timeline

Thomas, the county's planning and development director, presented metrics on building permits, subdivision trends and staff workloads before asking for direction on regulatory priorities. He said single-family permit activity remains strong and noted changes since a 2022 subdivision regulation amendment, then highlighted two items needing near-term work: a zoning regulations amendment related to a moratorium on data centers and compliance with a 2024 state law requiring a community housing impact study by the end of 2026.

Thomas described a draft timeline: analysis and study through July–August, drafting by the end of August, planning commission public hearings in September (with possible revisions in October), and BOCC consideration through October–December with a goal of adoption by Jan. 1, 2027 if work proceeds as planned. "My plan is to do some analysis and and study for the month of the remainder of July, continue analyzing and researching in August and draft it by the end of August," Thomas said. He also asked whether the board wanted a concurrent, comprehensive update to zoning or subdivision regulations to address multiple recurring items (ag uses, ADU rules, density calculations, irrigation/fire-sprinkler language). Commissioners signaled water-related items and subdivision language should be prioritized.