Broken Bow City Council takes proactive approach with new regulations
The Broken Bow City Council discussed and continued the process for proposed regulations on data centers and digital asset mining operations. These regulations aim to use zoning authority to protect the community by establishing guidelines for noise, water conservation, cooling systems, residential setbacks, and more, requiring a conditional use permit for facilities. The council voted not to waive the three required readings of the ordinance, allowing for further public discussion.
The Broken Bow City Council has taken a proactive stance on data center development by continuing discussions on proposed regulations for data centers and digital asset mining operations within city limits. City Administrator David Schmidt highlighted the city's approach to require council approval for network monitoring equipment like automated license plate readers before installation. Zoning Administrator Jacob Holcomb clarified that while the city cannot ban data centers, it can utilize its zoning authority to establish protective regulations.
Ordinance 1317, addressing data center requirements, was presented during a public hearing. Key provisions include guidelines for noise, water conservation, cooling systems, residential setbacks, financial transparency, criminal background checks, and decommissioning. The proposed ordinance would mandate a conditional use permit for facilities using as little as 65 kilowatts of power, require predictive noise studies and annual compliance reporting, and place restrictions on certain cooling systems. Operators would also be responsible for infrastructure costs and a decommissioning surety bond.
The council unanimously voted not to waive the three required readings of the ordinance, ensuring a thorough review process and additional time for public input. Holcomb noted that the proposal remains a working draft and could still change based on further community feedback. The city intends for these regulations to be comprehensive and in place before any data center proposals emerge, with other communities reportedly using Broken Bow's draft as a template.