The Utah County Planning Commission voted unanimously on Oct. 20, 2026, to recommend a controversial new data center zoning ordinance during a tense meeting that escalated into a physical confrontation and the arrest of a protester. The decision, reached amidst loud objections from over 100 local residents, moves the proposal toward a final vote by the Utah County Commission.
The proposed land use framework seeks to add data centers as a permitted use within Industrial (I-1) and Mining and Grazing (M&G-1) zones. The ordinance also establishes a new Data Center Overlay Zone. Under the recommended standards, individual data center developments would be capped at 500 megawatts in power and 1 million square feet in size.
To address resource concerns, the framework includes a limit on annual water usage of 300,000 gallons per facility. Additionally, the ordinance would mandate strict studies regarding traffic and noise impacts. The Planning Commission's vote serves as a recommendation only; the Utah County Commission holds the final authority to approve or reject the ordinance at a future date.
The meeting in Provo drew more than 100 residents who arrived to voice intense opposition to the data center proposal. Local advocacy groups, including Protect Utah and UT for the People — No Tech Billionaires, expressed concerns that large-scale facilities would strain electricity and water grids. Critics also argued the centers could disrupt industrial spaces and rural grazing lands.
As the vote concluded, tensions rose within the chambers. According to the Lehi Free Press, the atmosphere turned volatile as attendees voiced loud objections. The situation escalated when deputies moved to clear individuals who were disrupting the meeting, leading to a physical altercation in the seating area and lobby.
During the clearing of the chambers, an activist identified as Aspen Azalea was taken to the ground by a Utah County Sheriff's deputy. According to an Affidavit of Probable Cause, Azalea was asked and ordered several times by law enforcement to remove herself from the meeting but did not comply.
A deputy's affidavit states that while attempting to pull Azalea out of a row of chairs and into the aisle, the officer felt a sharp pain in his groin, describing the sensation as being kneed or kicked in the testicles. The officer reported that Azalea appeared to attempt to go limp and dump her body weight on him. During the incident, two other individuals reportedly latched onto Azalea and had to be physically removed from the chambers.
Azalea was booked into the Utah County Jail and charged with assault on a peace officer, interfering with a peace officer, and disrupting a meeting/procession. While the sheriff's office maintains the use of force was necessary, video footage shared by advocacy groups disputes the official account.
The footage shared by critics claims Azalea was not actively being vocal at the time of her removal and alleges she was subjected to excessive force that caused her jaw and chin to hit the ground. The Utah County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the use-of-force incident is currently under internal supervisory review.
Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith defended the actions of his deputies in a public statement on the sheriff's office website. Smith stated that individuals who refused to leave after being directed to do so were escorted out and noted that violence against law enforcement is unacceptable.
In the wake of the meeting, rallies have formed at the Utah State Capitol. Protesters at these demonstrations are demanding a full moratorium on the development of private data centers and greater accountability for the incident.
