By Allison Peck
LINCOLN COUNTY, Neb. — Lincoln County residents will have two opportunities later this month to weigh in on proposed regulations governing future data center development.
During Monday's Lincoln County Commissioners meeting, Planning Administrator Judy Clark outlined the timeline for public hearings, explaining that the county is working through the legal notice requirements before the regulations can come before commissioners for consideration.
Clark said the Lincoln County Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed regulations during its Aug. 11 meeting at North Platte City Hall. The hearing will cover proposed data center regulations, conditional use regulations and a data center matrix.
Because Nebraska law requires at least 10 days' public notice before the county board can hold its own hearing, Clark said the earliest commissioners could consider the proposal would be Aug. 31.
"I need to know location, I need to know date, and we can't do it any sooner than the 31st," Clark told commissioners.
Clark said she intentionally waited to advertise the commissioners' hearing until after the Planning Commission meeting to avoid the possibility of having to "readvertise" if the Planning Commission were unable to reach a quorum.
Commissioners also discussed where to hold the public hearing, anticipating significant public interest in the proposed regulations.
While the county courtroom was considered, Clark said it is unavailable on Aug. 31. Commissioners instead discussed keeping the hearing in the commissioners' meeting room or potentially moving it to another location depending on turnout at the Planning Commission hearing.
Commissioner Chirs Bruns suggested using attendance at the Aug. 11 Planning Commission meeting as a gauge for how much space may be needed later in the month.
"If your hearing is completely packed and crowded and there's a lot of testimony, then that probably gives us a strong indication on whether or not we need a different location," Bruns said.
Clark noted the Planning Commission meeting at City Hall has additional capacity, including an overflow room where attendees can watch the proceedings if necessary.
Commissioners agreed they want to complete work on the proposed regulations before September if possible, with Aug. 31 currently serving as the target date for the county board's public hearing.
The proposed regulations come after months of discussion surrounding potential data center development in Lincoln County. The Planning Commission is expected to review the draft regulations first before forwarding a recommendation to the County Board for final consideration following its public hearing.