The Clearfield City Council voted unanimously to pass an ordinance that temporarily restricts data center development activities. The move comes before any formal requests for data centers have been made within the city.
According to the city's agenda packet, the moratorium applies to activities intended to establish new data centers, including the construction of new buildings, the reconstruction or alteration of existing structures, physical expansions, and associated subdivision activities. The regulation is applicable for up to 180 days, during which the city intends to evaluate data centers and determine if permanent land use regulations require amendments.
Mayor Mark Shepherd stated that the decision was influenced by concerns regarding the scale of the Stratos data center project in Box Elder County. Shepherd noted that the scale of that project has become a significant concern across Utah. He explained that the ordinance was necessary because the city currently lacks specific regulations for data centers, meaning any future requests would require a legislative decision as they are not currently allowed in any existing zone.
While the moratorium is in place, Shepherd expressed a positive view of data centers under the right circumstances, noting they can be a necessary use if proper investigations and testing are conducted. He remarked that the city's interest in data centers has shifted from previous competition for such developments to a need for careful management of resources and city impact.
