Fremont County commissioners discuss regulation of data centers, ways to garner public opinion
Fremont County commissioners are considering limited zoning and nuisance regulations to address potential data center development and related impacts. County planning officials proposed a statistically designed public survey, but commissioners made no decision or set a timeline.
Fremont County Planning Director Steve Baumann presented commissioners with two possible approaches to data center development: requiring conditional-use permits through limited countywide zoning, or adopting nuisance rules covering impacts such as light, sound and vibration. Potential zoning standards could include setbacks and water-use limits, while draft nuisance regulations would address noise and other effects.
Baumann also proposed working with the University of Wyoming to conduct a countywide survey on residents' views. Commissioners did not select an approach or establish a decision schedule. The discussion included the existing Lost Cabin facility, although Baumann said no county agency currently has responsibility for overseeing its noise.