Data Center Interim Zoning

I very much support the interim zoning but I think the only "clearer, more robust regulations" Missoula County should develop are no AI Data Centers in Missoula County anywhere. And a big, fat NO to the AI Data Center in Bonner! For all of the reasons people have so eloquently listed already on this page and also on the public comment page for the proposed AI Data Center in Bonner.

I agree with an interim zoning proposal for data centers. However, I am not certain of the efficacy of this proposal given that, as stated within the aforementioned notice, exceptions will be made. If a special exemption is made for the proposed data center at the Bonner mill site, what is to prevent similar applications from others? What if entities amend prior applications to include data center upgrades? Much more study and precise policy measures should be enacted. May I recommend a moratorium on all applications, including ones that have already begun?

It's a great idea made into a performative act by the fact that it's not being applied to the Data Center proposed in Bonner. To say that we are concerned about the risks of these being built inside of the city limits but aren't concerned of them being built across from a school outside of the city limits seems spineless to me. And I don't personally care if Krambu "Already began the application process". We should have a vote on whether or not anyone cares. They're not building a data center to help Montanans, they want to take our resources and leave us with the trash.

We totally support Missoula County enacting interim zoning to protect the public from data center development ensuring well defined public safeguards in place for water and power usage/supply as well as community impacts from noise.

Include this in your interim zoning provisions: AI Data Centers, AKA Surveillance Centers, AKA Data Centers, etc. should not be within or activated upon places of youth development, personal and professional. Defining youth as those 17 years or younger, and "within" or "upon" reflecting a minimum of 100 yards.

The elementary school, directly across the street from the proposed Krambu Data Center Site, I think, aside from all other ecological concerns, should be addressed by the interim zoning and future protections of surrounding communities. All data centers in Missoula County and beyond should not be within 100 yards of a place of youth development, including but not limited to; schools, camps, childcare facilities, etc.

I wholeheartedly support interim zoning to place a temporary pause on the development or expansion of data centers in Missoula County. Let's keep our landscape pristine!

I support the proposed interim zoning but do not support exempting the pending Bonner data center application.

The County's rationale for adopting interim zoning is that existing regulations do not adequately address the impacts of modern data centers and that additional time is needed to develop appropriate standards. If the County has determined that the current regulations are insufficient to protect public health, safety, and natural resources, it seems inconsistent to allow a pending project to proceed under those same regulations simply because it entered the application process first.

The purpose of an interim zoning ordinance is to pause development while the County evaluates emerging risks and develops thoughtful, evidence-based regulations. Exempting the project that is already under review undermines that purpose and creates the appearance that the community will bear the consequences of regulations the County itself believes are incomplete.

Missoula County has a responsibility to protect its natural resources, infrastructure, and surrounding communities before—not after—development occurs. Taking the time to establish comprehensive standards first will provide greater certainty for residents, applicants, and future decision-makers alike.

I urge the Commissioners to apply the interim zoning consistently to all proposed data centers, including the Bonner application, until the County has completed its study and adopted regulations that adequately address the unique impacts of these facilities.

I am happy to see Missoula County continue to make thoughtful and community-driven decisions. I am of support of data center interim zoning, and I highly encourage that the Bonner Data Center is not grandfathered out of it. Krambu has submitted three or four failed special exception requests, and I beg to question at what point does these attempts become a waste of civic time? Unless too procedurally complicated, I do not think Krambu should be exempt from the proposed data center interim zoning. If anything, the interim zoning should give Krambu plenty of time to put together an actual approvable special exception request that does not adversely impact the human and non-human community. I hope Missoula County persists in its responsible adherence to policy, regulations, and prioritizing community health by passing a data center interim zoning policy and holding Krambu to that zoning rather than exempting them.

I am a resident of Bonner just down the highway from the proposed data center on the mill site. I am very much in favor of these interim zoning regulations, but disappointed to learn they may not impact the proposed data center in Bonner, especially considering that the company involved has yet to submit a complete application. Including the proposed Bonner data center in these proposed regulations is crucial to protect the Blackfoot river, and the health of all of us living in the impacted area.

I'm excited to see the county moving towards a pause and interim zoning for data centers. I'm still very concerned about the 7 megawatt data center proposed for Bonner not being effected by this zoning. Given potential major effects to public health and welfare in the Bonner community and all downstream communities, extending the pause to include the 7 megawatt proposal is critical. Although this may go against precedent, unprecedented times call for unprecedented actions to protect the health and welfare of the community.

Glad to see the community push for interim zoning! More time is needed to allow for thoughtful decision making that prioritizes our community and our special way of life in this precious valley

Hello
Very concerned how these Data Centers will affect our way of life in Montana & our country. These Data Centers will take enormous amounts of energy, electricity. water. Air quality will be affected. We deal with wildfires during the summer months & air quality at times is very poor and then we have to deal with the data center poisoning our air as well. The noise pollution & the cost impacts it puts on the citizens. Also there is no great job opportunities after they are built. At this time I strongly say NO Data Centers. There are so many unknowns & these are not going to improve our way of life, only destroy. Thank you for the opportunity to share my voice. Vote NO

I support Interim Zoning.

I’m happy the county is considering this move, but it’s insane that it doesn’t include the proposed Bonner Mill data center. To state that there’s a potential emergency and that the protection of water and health is essential to everyone, only to exclude those who will be impacted by the data center in Bonner is heartbreaking as a resident. Considering that Krambu hasn’t submitted a satisfactory special exception application, after multiple attempts, I think the Bonner Mill data center should be included in this moratorium.

I strongly support Missoula County adopting interim zoning to place a temporary pause on the development or expansion of data centers while the County develops updated zoning regulations to mitigate potential impacts to health, safety and natural resources. While disappointing the Bonner proposal wouldn’t be included, this would still be a step in the right direction for our community. Thank you for considering this!