Eastern Summit County lacks data center rules, regulations
News ClipKPCW·Summit County, UT·5/8/2026
Eastern Summit County's planning documents currently lack specific rules and regulations for data centers, a topic that has recently gained attention due to controversial approvals elsewhere. The Summit County Planning Department and Eastern Summit County Planning Commission are in the process of completely rewriting the area's general plan, which will guide future land use and development policies, including potential considerations for data centers.
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Gov: Summit County Council, Eastern Summit County Planning Commission, Summit County Planning Department, Box Elder commissioners
During a long-term planning discussion on May 6, Eastern Summit County planning commissioner David Darcey highlighted a significant omission in current county planning documents: rules and regulations for data centers. Darcey referenced a controversial data center approval in Box Elder County, noting that Summit County shares similar infrastructure, such as an underutilized natural gas pipeline, which could attract such developments.
Data centers, which are energy and water intensive, are proliferating in rural areas to support the growth of artificial intelligence. The Summit County Planning Department and the Eastern Summit County Planning Commission are undertaking a comprehensive rewrite of the area's general plan, a document crucial for guiding future land use and development laws. Community Development Director Peter Barnes explained that the eastside's plan requires a more thorough update compared to the Snyderville Basin. Councilmember Tonja Hanson emphasized that developers often leverage what is or isn't stated in the general plan to their advantage. The ongoing planning process will allow residents to comment on draft chapters covering various land use issues, including future considerations for data centers, before they are forwarded to the county council for adoption.