Data Centers

UTAH COUNTY, Utah — A proposed ordinance in Utah County would create tight restrictions on any potential data-center development, aiming to protect ratepayers, water resources and the environment while preserving private property rights. The ordinance, still awaiting the Planning Commission’s recommendation, would require compliance with those development restrictions along with the holding of two public meetings and other steps before a data-center permit application could be filed.

Utah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner said data centers are not new to the county. Bluffdale’s NSA facility was among the first, and in the Eagle Mountain area, Meta has had a presence with an agreement in place for more than five years and QTS has operated there for some time. She noted that Utah County has been studying data-center projects for several years and has sought to learn from existing deployments elsewhere.

“We want to make sure that any impact to infrastructure is paid for by the business,” said Gardner. “We want to make sure we’re not negatively affecting our citizens. And we want to protect the environment for future generations.”

The proposed ordinance would only apply for data centers proposed to be located in the unincorporated areas of Utah County and would require extensive plans for and consideration of potential impacts, including environmental, air quality, noise, ground water, and power and water consumption. The county has been examining what standards and protections should be mandated by county ordinance when a proposed data center seeks to come to the area, and the process has benefited from input from the public. There are no current application requests for any proposed data centers in the unincorporated area of Utah County. This ordinance is a way for Utah County to get in front of any applications with a clear policy that defines expectations on all sides.

“We’ve been looking at this for about five years,” she said. “The public looking at these issues has actually been helpful for us because it gives us a list of things that people are concerned about and ensure that our citizens are being protected.”

Two key protections highlighted by the plan are ratepayer protections for electricity and prudent water use. The county also emphasizes environmental safeguards and the consideration of sensitive environmental, agricultural, and residential areas. The ordinance would require the developer to hold two public meetings before any permit application, a mailed postcard to every property owner within a one-mile radius, and disclosure to county elected officials, among other requirements.

“We want neighbors to know that they have a voice, that local elected officials are aware of what’s going on,” Gardner said. “And all of that is required before they can even apply for a permit under the proposed ordinance.”

The data centers already operating within cities in Utah County are good neighbors especially when projects are developed collaboratively with the community. The commissioner pointed to Meta as an example, noting that the company contributes to the community through grants and even helps with water use.

There has been a lot of online misinformation about the proposal, the commissioner said, including claims that the county is “streamlining” the process. She stressed that the plan includes substantial requirements, “25 pages of requirements is the exact opposite of streamlining.” She also noted safeguards that apply to the applicable zones, stating that a permit cannot be issued until all requirements are met.

Residents are invited to review the proposed ordinance and provide feedback. The proposed ordinance is not yet on the county commission agenda; it will go before the Planning Commission again in October for a recommendation, with a final decision from the County Commission possibly in November.

“If we’ve missed something in this, let us know,” the commissioner said. “The purpose of this ordinance is to protect the community, but also to allow private property rights of those who want to come to our communities. Read the proposed ordinance and share your input.”