Iron County ends data center pause early and adopts new zoning regulations
The Iron County Commission unanimously adopted new zoning regulations that could allow large data centers and ended the county’s pause on new data center applications nearly a month early. The decision moved forward despite opposition from the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, which raised concerns about environmental impacts and limited tribal input.
The Iron County Commission unanimously approved new zoning regulations Monday that could enable large data centers to be developed in the county. Commissioners also ended an existing pause on new data center applications nearly a month ahead of schedule.
The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, which owns roughly 2,500 to 3,000 acres in Iron County, opposed the action over potential environmental impacts and what it described as insufficient communication from county officials. Tribal representatives sought language guaranteeing at least 30 days to provide input; although that provision was restored, commissioners still voted to adopt the regulations and end the pause.