Lincoln County Board Increases Oversight of Data Centers

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to amend zoning regulations to increase oversight of proposed data centers. The board changed the status of data centers in I-1 industrial districts from a permitted use to a conditional use, a move intended to close a perceived loophole in existing land-use rules.

Under the new rules, future data center applications must undergo a review by the planning commission and a public hearing process. This shift allows county leaders to impose specific conditions on projects or deny applications entirely. The decision follows a July 13 vote in which commissioners rejected a full moratorium on data center applications in a 3-2 split.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Judy Clark clarified that the amendment modifies the land-use category matrix rather than rewriting broader regulations. However, updated data center regulations could be presented for a public hearing as early as August. Commissioner Chris Bruns stated that the change ensures the county can protect its power grid and vital resources, including water, by providing the ability to say no to unsuitable projects.