Data center zoning regs to be heard Aug. 11
Lincoln County, Nebraska, is holding two public hearings in August on proposed updated zoning regulations for data centers. The Lincoln County Planning Commission will conduct the first hearing, followed by the Lincoln County Commissioners who will make a final decision. These regulations are being developed in anticipation of potential hyperscale data centers, which could demand significant land, power, and water resources.
Lincoln County, Nebraska, is moving forward with updated zoning regulations for data centers, scheduling two public hearings for August. The Lincoln County Planning Commission will host the first hearing on August 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the North Platte city council chambers. This commission will make recommendations regarding the proposed updates to the Lincoln County Commissioners.
The county commissioners will then hold their own public hearing on August 31 to make a final decision on the regulations. Zoning Administrator Judy Clark advised the commissioners on the logistics of the second hearing, noting the district courtroom's unavailability and suggesting the city council chambers with an overflow room if a large crowd is expected.
Commissioner Chris Bruns expressed a desire to finalize the approximately 10 pages of new regulations quickly, preferably before September. The North Platte Chamber of Commerce has indicated that one or more hyperscale data centers are a possibility for Lincoln County, with such facilities potentially requiring two square miles of land and substantial power and water resources, equivalent to 10-15 center pivot irrigation systems.