Cache County enacts moratorium on data center developments; talks rec centers

The Cache County Council in Utah voted 6-0 on Tuesday to enact a 180-day moratorium on data center developments in the county's unincorporated areas. The decision follows ongoing backlash against the approval of a "hyperscale" data center in neighboring Box Elder County by local officials and the Utah State Legislature.

Cache County Director of Development Services Brian Abbott stated that the moratorium, which applies only to unincorporated areas, provides an opportunity to evaluate potential repercussions of data center construction and to draft relevant county codes. Council Chair Goodlander emphasized that the county has not yet received any data center applications, framing the moratorium as a proactive measure to prepare for future development.

Separately, the council also discussed the potential for new recreation centers in Cache Valley. Councilmember Keegan Garrity proposed establishing an official advisory board to hold the recreation center decision until the 2028 General Election ballot. However, Chair Goodlander expressed that a new advisory board was unnecessary given an existing steering committee's progress, which is working with VCBO on a feasibility study, site scouting, and cost proposals for two potential locations. County Executive George Daines raised concerns about the county bonding for construction while cities would operate the centers, questioning the financial and operational feasibility.