Iron County opens door to large data centers over Paiute Tribe's objections

The Iron County Commission on Monday unanimously approved a Strategic Development Zone overlay ordinance that can make room for large-scale projects, including big data centers and energy plants. Commissioners also ended the county's moratorium on data center applications nearly a month early, so new applications can be filed again.

The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, including its Cedar and Indian Peaks bands, asked the commission to postpone the vote. Tribal Chairwoman Laurel Yellowhorse said the county had removed language guaranteeing talks with the tribe and a 30-day written comment period, calling the omission "egregious" and consultation "a moral and ethical requirement." Indian Peaks Band council member Tamra Borchardt-Slayton said the tribe is "a federally sovereign government," not just another stakeholder.

County planner Brett Hamilton said the 30-day tribal review period had been restored to the draft. Commissioner Paul Cozzens said he did not expect noise to be a problem and that water use would be metered and regulated, and Commissioner Mike Bleak said the county is trying to protect the local way of life while respecting property rights.

The tribe holds about 2,500 to 3,000 acres of federal trust land in Iron County. The new zone is not on tribal land, KSL reported. The county paused data center applications for 180 days in May while it reviewed its rules.