Lincoln County data center discussion continues, while wildfire funding remains delayed
Lincoln County officials are reviewing proposed zoning regulations for potential data centers, which include rules on noise limits, property setbacks, and location requirements. These amendments were recommended by the Planning Commission and will undergo a public hearing on August 31 before a final board vote.
Lincoln County officials are actively discussing and reviewing proposed zoning regulations specifically for potential data centers within the county. The Lincoln County Planning Commission has already forwarded these recommended amendments to the county board for a final decision.
These draft zoning policies, spanning nine pages, address key concerns such as facility noise limits, property setbacks, and precise location requirements for large-scale technology sites. This effort follows weeks of public feedback received by the commission. A formal public hearing for these proposed regulations is scheduled for August 31 at the city-county building, where residents will have a final opportunity to offer comments before the board conducts its vote.
In other county news, Highway Superintendent Jason Schultz reported significant progress on physical infrastructure, with the Hershey-Dickens Road project now 70% complete, aiming to alleviate transport issues before the fall agricultural harvest. Additionally, Region 51 Emergency Management has secured over $325,000 in federal grants but is still awaiting reimbursement for costs incurred from fighting the 129,000-acre Cottonwood Fire due to administrative delays at state and federal levels.
Financially, the county's tax base saw a record increase to $7.17 billion, up from $6.6 billion, according to County Assessor Julie Stinger. This growth was primarily attributed to major centrally assessed industrial projects, including the Trailblazer CO2 pipeline project, which added over $75 million to the tax roll.