Mona residents question approval process for proposed $10B data center
Mona residents are challenging the rapid approval of a $10 billion data center project in Juab County, citing a lack of public input and transparency regarding a zone change and conditional use permit. They are demanding a public hearing, while county officials maintain they followed state notification requirements. County commissioners are investigating their authority to revisit the approval.
Mona, Juab County residents voiced strong objections to local leaders on Tuesday regarding the approval process for a proposed $10 billion, 3 million-square-foot data center. Residents, represented by Taylor Flake of Mona Cares Neighborhood for Responsible Development, claim they were "blindsided" by the project, asserting that a critical zone change and conditional use permit were approved with insufficient public input, including a public hearing that reportedly lasted only four minutes. They argue that the decision was made by "unelected bureaucrats" rather than county commissioners, and are demanding a public hearing to revisit the approval.
Juab County Commissioner Clint Painter stated that the county adhered to state requirements for public notification, posting information in three mandated locations and an additional newspaper. However, residents contend these notifications were inadequate, leading to a widespread lack of awareness among Mona residents and city leaders.
The core of the dispute revolves around the transparency and fairness of the approval process, rather than the data center itself. Residents are urging county commissioners to make the approval "right" by allowing a meaningful public hearing before any further decisions. Commissioners, in response, are currently investigating whether they possess the legal authority to cancel the previously approved conditional use permit and restart the county's review process. Residents plan to continue advocating for transparency as the situation unfolds.