Utah County Planning Commission Public Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Utah County Planning Commission held a public meeting on September 15, 2026, primarily to discuss a proposed text amendment to the county land use ordinance regarding the regulation of data centers in unincorporated areas. Staff presented a detailed draft ordinance that establishes permitted uses for data centers with strict development standards, including location restrictions, public notification requirements, environmental protections, water usage limitations, noise and lighting controls, and decommissioning plans. The commission heard extensive public comments expressing concerns about environmental impacts, water consumption, noise pollution, and community health. Several commissioners and public officials suggested further refinements to the ordinance, including clearer notification triggers, mandatory road impact studies, and stronger development agreement provisions. The commission voted to continue the discussion to the next meeting on October 20, 2026, directing staff to incorporate feedback from interested parties by October 2 and to further investigate issues such as subsonic noise and water resource impacts. This meeting focused on establishing a regulatory framework to manage future data center developments and mitigate potential adverse effects on the county and its residents.