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Commissioners urge moratoriums and local zoning controls after data-center briefings at national conference
Summary
Following a National Association of Counties briefing, commissioners raised concerns about data centers’ land purchases, bringing independent power, and the risk of losing local control; they said moratoriums and local zoning rules can help preserve community priorities and avoid state preemption.
Commissioner Williams reported from the National Association of Counties that data centers are buying large tracts of land and, in some cases, building their own power infrastructure. He said those trends create pressure on local governments and argued a moratorium is an appropriate first step while the county crafts zoning standards.
"I did verify Ross and Bob and Eric that we did the right thing by having a moratorium, because if you don't, industry will come," Williams said, describing cases where counties later lost control over siting and operations. Commissioners warned of environmental cleanup and decommissioning liabilities after data centers become obsolete and pointed to examples in other states where legislatures limited local authority. The board discussed monitoring trends and drafting zoning language rather than seeking an outright ban at this stage.
Administrator Ross Herzog added he is more concerned about decommissioning and long-term cleanup than initial construction, and commissioners said they want to preserve local zoning authority and make informed decisions that reflect community priorities.
