Pocatello Hearing Examiner 05 14 26

The City of Pocatello held a public hearing on May 14, 2026, to consider a conditional use permit (CUP26-00003) application submitted by Lex Developments LLC for the construction of an AI data center on the former Hoku plant site. The hearing examiner, Kathleen Lewis, presided over the meeting, which included presentations from the applicant and city staff, followed by extensive public testimony. The applicant proposed redeveloping the site with multiple new buildings housing servers, pending power availability studies with Idaho Power. City staff noted that the project would require further permitting and infrastructure upgrades, including utility and environmental reviews. Idaho Power indicated preliminary feasibility to supply requested power, with costs borne by the developer. Public comments were largely concerned about environmental impacts, including water and power consumption, noise pollution, tax incentives, job creation, and long-term community effects. Many speakers expressed skepticism about the applicant's vague details and the potential burden on local infrastructure and resources. The hearing examiner closed the hearing without a decision, stating that a written determination would be issued by May 19, 2026, with appeal rights to the city council. No vote was taken at the meeting.