Cheyenne City Councilman Says Petition Won’t Stop Data Center Project
The Cheyenne City Council is seeking legal clarification regarding a petition for a public vote on the annexation of 3,460 acres for a Microsoft Data Center expansion. Despite potential referendum, a city councilman stated the data center project would likely proceed under county jurisdiction with less regulation if the annexation is defeated. The council voted 8-1 to pursue a declaratory judgment.
The Cheyenne City Council is seeking legal clarification on the validity of a citizen-led petition demanding a public vote on the annexation of 3,460 acres designated for a Microsoft Data Center expansion. Despite approving the annexation last month, the council voted to have the city attorney request legal clarification on the petition's standing, supporting a declaratory ruling from a judge due to perceived ambiguities in Wyoming statutes regarding referendums and annexations.
While the City Clerk's Office continues the certification process for the petition, Ward III City Councilman Ken Esquibel emphasized that even if the petition is successful and the annexation is ultimately defeated by public vote, the data center project would still move forward. Esquibel stated that the project would simply fall under county jurisdiction, which he noted offers less regulation than the city. This perspective suggests that the referendum, if successful, would not halt the data center's development but rather alter its regulatory oversight.
Councilman Tom Segrave also highlighted the legal uncertainty, supporting a judge's ruling to clarify the statutes. The resolution to obtain a declaratory judgment passed with an 8-1 vote, indicating the council's desire for a definitive legal interpretation on the matter. The article highlights the tension between citizen opposition, the city's development goals, and the complexities of local and state law concerning land use and public referendums.