Cheyenne data center pause, final plats up for Public Services Committee discussion today

The Cheyenne City Council's Public Services Committee is scheduled to hold its first discussion today on a proposed 12-month moratorium on new data center developments within the city. Introduced by City Councilor Mark Moody, the temporary ordinance aims to halt the processing and approval of licenses, permits, site plans, and zoning changes for data center construction or conversion.

The freeze is a response to public concerns regarding the demands data centers could place on local resources, including the environment, electricity rates, the power grid, and water usage. The moratorium would allow city staff to conduct a study on these impacts, with a report and recommendations due to the council by April 1, 2027. Mayor Patrick Collins previously clarified that the ordinance would be introduced for its first reading without immediate debate to move it onto the committee's agenda.

Beyond the data center issue, the committee's agenda also includes considering a major zoning map amendment to rezone 1,652 acres of the Cheyenne and Campstool Business Parks into a unified business park zoning district. Additionally, the committee will review requests to rezone nearly 7 acres of the JL Ranch property for residential development and several final plats for subdivision growth, including a substantial 23rd filing for Harmony Valley. The committee will also discuss amending local wastewater discharge limits.

All decisions made by the committee are recommendations that will be presented to the full City Council for final consideration and action at its next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, May 26.