Iron County’s Planning Commission voted on Thursday to advance a proposed ordinance regulating data centers and other large industrial projects. The measure passed despite some residents’ and tribal leaders’ calls for stronger protections and more time to review the proposal.
The recommendation sends the proposed Strategic Development Zone overlay ordinance to the Iron County Commission without changes. The County Commission scheduled a public hearing and discussion for Oct. 12, but its agenda stated that no action will be taken.
Ruhan Nagra, director of the University of Utah’s Environmental Justice Clinic, said residents remain disappointed with the decision.
“This is definitely not a done deal,” Nagra said.
The clinic works with the Iron County Rural Preservation Group, which has requested stronger water protections, independent environmental studies, stricter limits on noise and emissions and financial safeguards if projects are abandoned.
The revised proposal was released Tuesday evening, leaving residents two days to review it before Thursday’s hearing. The ordinance would establish an approval process for qualifying data centers, power-generation facilities, battery storage and industrial campuses, including projects on eligible agricultural land.
Marion Munn, a researcher and steering committee member of the preservation group, requested a two-week delay and called for a residential buffer of at least 1 mile.
“We still feel that there are some missing spots there,” Munn said.
The draft generally requires a half-mile separation from residential areas, with some exceptions.
Tribal leaders also opposed the proposal’s current language on consultation. Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah Chairwoman Laurel Yellowhorse said consultation should not be reduced to a procedural step.
The tribe later requested that the county commission postpone a vote until consultation occurs.
Some speakers supported moving forward with the measure, citing potential jobs, tax revenue and property rights. Planning Commission Chairman Erick Cox said the proposal would improve how the county reviews large industrial projects.
The recommendation does not approve a specific data center or make the ordinance law.
Author: Fangqi Zhou
Photo courtesy of Jeff Richards, Cedar City News
Editor: Hannah Clove
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