Utah County protester arrested after confrontation at meeting on data center ordinance
A woman was arrested and two others were cited after a confrontation with deputies at a Utah County Planning Commission meeting where commissioners considered a proposed ordinance allowing data centers in additional zones. Residents opposed the ordinance over potential water and electricity demands, while an advocacy group disputed the circumstances of the arrest.
A woman was arrested and two other residents were cited after deputies responded to a disturbance following a Utah County Planning Commission vote on proposed data center land-use regulations. The Utah County Sheriff’s Office said the woman resisted removal, assaulted a deputy and interfered with the arrest; an advocacy group, UT for the People — No Tech Billionaires, said she was unjustly targeted and later reported injuries. The Sheriff’s Office said the incident is under supervisory review.
The proposed amendment would allow data centers as a permitted use in Utah County’s Mining and Grazing and Industrial zones, create a data center overlay zone and establish development standards. About 100 residents attended the meeting to oppose the proposal, citing concerns about water use, electricity demand and community impacts. The Planning Commission’s action is separate from final consideration by the Utah County Commission.