Spanish Fork citizens file referendum on data center amendment
Citizens in Spanish Fork, Utah have filed a referendum against a city council amendment related to data center development. The amendment, Ordinance 15, sets requirements for data centers, including self-generated energy and distance from residences, but residents feel it doesn't offer enough protection. Utah County is also reportedly working on its own data center protections.
Citizens in Spanish Fork, Utah, have successfully filed a referendum to challenge a recent amendment to the city's land use code concerning data centers. The amendment, known as Ordinance 15, was adopted by the Spanish Fork City Council on September 21. It aims to establish requirements for data centers, such as generating their own energy and maintaining a certain distance from residential areas.
Residents, including Lisa Wood, expressed concerns that the city was moving too quickly with too many unknowns regarding proposed data center projects. Despite the new ordinance, Wood was informed by an unnamed company that it might move its project further west, away from I-15, suggesting the current regulations may not be sufficient. Powers Gardner, who helped the citizen-led Referendum Group, confirmed that enough signatures were gathered to file the referendum.
Separately, Utah County Commissioner Amelia noted that the county is also developing its own protections for data centers. The county has been approached by multiple groups in the past year regarding this issue and aims to ensure that any data center development contributes to the community, with businesses covering associated costs, minimizing impacts, and preserving resources for future generations. The proposed county ordinance would mandate two public meetings before permit issuance and require notification to residents within a one-mile radius of a project. Gardner emphasized the importance of learning from other communities to ensure data centers are a benefit.