Lincoln County commissioners delay data center zoning decision
Lincoln County commissioners rejected a proposed 90-day moratorium on new data center applications. Instead, they voted to send recommendations to the planning commission to review and develop new data center zoning regulations, including potential community benefit agreements. The board will revisit the proposal next week.
The Lincoln County commissioners in North Platte, Nebraska, have decided against implementing a 90-day moratorium on new data center development applications. Commissioner Joseph Hewgley had proposed the temporary halt, arguing the county needed more time to research the impacts of such developments, but his motion was rejected in a three-to-two vote.
Despite rejecting the moratorium, the board unanimously voted to refer recommendations to the planning commission. The commission is tasked with reviewing and developing specific zoning regulations for data centers. Planning and Development Director Judy Clark suggested including a community benefit agreement as a potential requirement for conditional use permits, where developers would outline their contributions to the community. The board is scheduled to reconsider the proposal next week.