Cheyenne Planners Recommend Denial For Most Of Microsoft’s Data Center Expansion
The Cheyenne Planning Commission recommended denial for most of Microsoft's 3,200-acre data center expansion, while one agricultural zoning aspect received a recommendation for approval. Residents and some commissioners voiced strong concerns about the project's scale, environmental and utility impacts, and the lack of detailed development plans. The final decision, which follows the City Council's previous rejection of a data center moratorium, now moves to the council.
The Cheyenne Planning Commission has largely recommended against Microsoft's expansive 3,200-acre data center development on the city's southside, following a five-hour hearing. While one element—assigning agricultural zoning to the 3,050-acre Highlands area upon annexation—will advance to the June 8 City Council meeting with a recommendation for approval, proposals for future land-use and zoning map amendments for other key parcels failed to secure the necessary votes, resulting in formal recommendations to deny.
City staff, including Planner Connor White and Planning and Zoning Development Director Charles Bloom, argued the changes align with Cheyenne's long-range economic development plans, emphasizing the availability of city water and sewer services. However, Commissioner Meghan Connor, along with residents Heather Madrid and Charles Miller, strongly questioned the project's immense scale, potential environmental impacts on aquifers and air quality, and the lack of detailed development plans. Madrid also criticized the use of agricultural zoning for industrial purposes and alleged a lack of transparency, while Miller pointed out that the Board of Public Utilities admitted the parcel was not on their master plan and requires significant new infrastructure.
Frank Strong from the Board of Public Utilities addressed water concerns, estimating potential usage from 40 data centers at 16 million gallons annually, which he described as a "very small drop in the bucket" given a 2.7 trillion-gallon surplus. Betsey Hale of Cheyenne LEADS defended the city's long-standing efforts to protect residents and resources through business park conditions and utility connections. Microsoft's representative, Rachel Irwing, acknowledged the early stage of the project but reiterated the company's commitment to strategic planning, infrastructure investment, and transparency.
Ultimately, despite reassurances, the Planning Commission's overall recommendation was against the major zoning changes. The final decision rests with the Cheyenne City Council, which previously rejected a community-supported moratorium on new data centers. Councilman Larry Wolfe expressed concern about Microsoft's lack of detailed plans for the large annexation, questioning the immediate benefit to the city without substantial commitments.