Planning & Zoning Commission - Regular Meeting

Friday, September 18, 2026

The Kootenai Planning and Zoning Commission discussed proposed regulations for data centers, debating whether to restrict facilities to micro sizes or allow larger operations through a conditional use permit.

About this meeting

Government Body
Planning & Zoning Commission
Meeting Type
Planning & Zoning Commission
Location
Kootenai County, ID
Meeting Date
September 18, 2026

Transcript

7 sections

0:00Speaker 2

Preguntar si quizá lo que le interesa a la Junta es otro nivel de centros de datos o si queremos limitarlo específicamente a este tipo de tamaño.

0:12Speaker 1

Bueno, insisto, no estamos afectando al condado incorporado. Así que me parece bien dejarlo así.

0:19 – 1:56Speaker 2

¿Qué pasa si alguien quiere solicitar un centro de datos más grande? They simply deny it or well, that depends. I mean, if you limit it to data centers, then it would not be allowed. Or you can, you know, have the option of leaving, you know, the largest in cube. That would depend on the board. I mean, it would be legally acceptable to say that we only allow the micro, but forget about the others. Because I think we've had problems trying to say no without clearly explaining why we say no. Yes, that's, you know, that's a kind of open question, to be honest. Well, I would agree that we had any other size, you know, it would have to be a cup because we can't, you know, a conditional use permit, we can't just say no. and then establish the factors that should be examined. The studies, you know, how it would affect electricity, what mechanisms would be implemented so that the rates do not rise for the citizens, while these data centers are using it, water restrictions, you know, environmental concerns, things like that, where all these things would have to be examined. Something similar to how the order on mobile phone towers is elaborated, where it is not said that no. you simply say, hey, we have to comply with these criteria and then we will have this continuous supervision to ensure that these things do not happen again later.

1:56 – 2:13Speaker 1

I'm not interested in a bigger data center. I prefer that if someone wants to go to the board, exert pressure on the board and the local board decides at that moment that they want to change the ordinance to allow a bigger one, then it would be fine. But you know what?

2:13Speaker 2

If a judge decides

2:15Speaker 1

Puede pasar, puede pasar, pero para mí es un gran problema que no dará más que batallas.

2:24 – 2:45Speaker 2

Sí, pero ese es el problema. Ya hemos lidiado con esto, con las torres de telefonía móvil y ya sabes, llegan los tribunales y ya sabes, el condado pierde. Por eso creo que es prudente que al menos armamos algo que dice, ya sabes, aquí está el sí, pero es un listón muy alto. And we actually see that in other communities because the bar is much lower.

This transcript was automatically generated from the official public meeting video and is presented unedited. It reflects remarks made on the public record by elected officials, staff, and public commenters. Transcript accuracy may vary; view the original recording for reference.