The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved new regulations governing data centers Monday, establishing stronger requirements for potential projects while leaving the door open for additional changes.
The board approved Resolution 2026-29, amending Section 8.22 of the Lincoln County Zoning Regulations regarding data centers. The regulations adopted Monday include changes developed by Lincoln County Planning and Zoning Administrator Judy Clark and Deputy County Attorney Tyler Volkmer, along with additional revisions highlighted in the version presented to commissioners.
The vote came after a lengthy public hearing in which residents urged commissioners to strengthen requirements involving water, electricity, environmental impacts, noise, lighting, screening, backup power and other infrastructure associated with large data centers.
Clark told commissioners the county already has regulations that would apply to a data center, including industrial performance standards, soil-district regulations and enforcement provisions. However, she said the proposed Section 8.22 provides a more specific framework for data centers.
Clark also explained that the county's proposed regulations were developed following months of research and meetings by the Planning Commission and its subcommittee. The Planning Commission held a public hearing August 11 and recommended approval of its draft with changes.
A separate community proposal presented during that process was substantially longer, running approximately 40 to 42 pages. Clark said the document contains useful information but would be better used as a policy or review document for county staff and commissioners rather than incorporated in its entirety into the zoning regulations.
The community proposal became a significant part of Monday's discussion, with residents asking commissioners to incorporate additional measurable and enforceable protections into the county's regulations.
Among the concerns raised was the requirement for environmental and other studies before a project could move forward.
Clark said the county would require an environmental study, energy study, water study, engineering study and environmental impact analysis as part of the review process. She also said information submitted as part of those studies would be public record.
Energy use was another major concern during the hearing. Residents questioned whether large data centers could increase demand on local electrical systems and ultimately affect residential utility costs.
One resident specifically called for the word "may" in the county's behind-the-meter electrical generation requirement to be changed to "shall," arguing that data centers should be required to provide enough dedicated generation or energy storage to offset their projected electrical demand.
Other testimony focused on water use and wastewater. Residents asked for requirements that would provide monitoring of water intake, discharge volumes, temperatures and quality, along with reporting and independent verification.
Backup power systems also drew attention. Residents argued that generators, batteries, fuel storage, exhaust systems and other equipment should be considered collectively when evaluating a data center rather than separately.
Noise, lighting and screening were also discussed. Testimony called for objective standards for light leaving a property, fully shielded lighting, nighttime dimming and requirements to ensure screening continues to provide protection over the life of a facility.
Several speakers emphasized that requirements should apply not only when a data center is constructed but throughout the facility's operation.
"Plan before approval, measurable performance after construction, and then continuing compliance throughout the life of the project" was a recurring theme in testimony.
Commissioners also discussed the difference between the county's draft and the community proposal. One commissioner noted the Planning Commission version contained 14 instances of the word "may" and 72 instances of "shall," saying the balance represented a strong starting point.
Before closing the public hearing, commissioners indicated they wanted to adopt a stronger set of regulations immediately while continuing to work on the document.
Following the public hearing, commissioners clarified that Resolution 2026-29 included the highlighted changes presented during the meeting, including changes involving the definition of a Community Benefits Agreement.
A motion was then made to adopt Resolution 2026-29 and the accompanying changes. A friendly amendment was accepted stating the board's intention to send the regulations back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for continued review and refinement.
Commissioners specifically clarified that the regulations would take effect immediately, even as Planning and Zoning continues reviewing them.
The final vote was unanimous. Commissioners Hewgley, Wuehler, Woodruff, Bruns and Weems all voted in favor.
The action means Lincoln County now has an updated set of data-center regulations in place, while the Planning and Zoning Commission remains able to continue reviewing and potentially strengthening the requirements.
The board also approved Resolution 2026-28 earlier in the meeting, addressing ancillary data centers in the county's land-use matrix. Under the amendment, ancillary data centers can be permitted alongside certain commercial and industrial uses in the A-1, C-1, TA-1, AGV and LCR zoning districts.
The proposed definition discussed by commissioners limits an ancillary data center to a smaller, localized server operation occupying less than 10% of a building's gross floor area or 2,500 square feet, whichever is less. The provision is intended to address smaller server operations that support an existing commercial or industrial use rather than a standalone data-center facility.
Monday's action represents the first major implementation of the county's updated data-center framework, but commissioners made clear that the regulations remain subject to continued review and possible changes.