Cheyenne Approves Orchard Hills Data Center Amid Local Debate

The Cheyenne City Council approved the development of the Orchard Hills data center on Monday evening, passing four measures to annex the land, rezone it for light industrial use, and amend the future land-use map. The decision followed a public debate where opponents argued the facility would destroy the rural atmosphere, while supporters noted it would generate less traffic than a proposed 600-unit residential subdivision.

To mitigate the local impact, developer Trammell Crow Company proposed a community benefits agreement that includes infrastructure improvements and a 560-foot-deep vegetated berm. Councilman Mark Moody attempted to delay the vote until January 25 to establish further regulations, but the motion failed in an 8-1 vote. Councilwoman Michelle Aldrich criticized the attempt to postpone the decision, calling it a shameful tactic.

Separately, in Chillicothe, the City Council held a session to debate a proposed data center at an old paper mill site. Utilities Committee Chair Greg McKeever urged the council to rely on expert testimony from the city's utilities director and water plant supervisor rather than social media posts or emotional pleas, noting that existing infrastructure should minimize the impact on residential supplies.