Mountain Home pauses data center projects following packed city hall
The Mountain Home City Council approved an emergency moratorium temporarily halting new data center applications and permits after residents packed City Hall. The pause follows plans associated with the proposed 3.4-million-square-foot Bennett Ranch development, while some residents are calling for a permanent ban.
Mountain Home City Council approved an emergency moratorium that pauses the acceptance of data center applications and permits for up to 182 days. The action followed a packed City Hall meeting where residents expressed concerns about data center development and urged city officials to address their objections.
Mayor Rich Sykes reportedly presented plans involving four data center buildings totaling about 3.4 million square feet at Bennett Ranch, where a land-use application and conditional zoning issues were under consideration. The moratorium gives the city time to revise its zoning code, while some neighbors are advocating for data centers to be placed on the city’s prohibited-use list and seeking an outright ban.