Lyon County will hold a public workshop to review a proposed ordinance that would set development standards for future data center projects across the county.
The Board of County Commissioners will discuss the draft Data Center Ordinance during the workshop at 9 a.m. Monday, August 3, at the Lyon County Administrative Complex in Yerington. The meeting will also allow members of the public to provide input and discuss possible revisions before any future consideration for adoption.
The proposed ordinance includes requirements focused on water use, energy, noise, lighting, emergency planning and potential impacts on surrounding areas. It would prohibit water-consuming cooling systems unless they use reclaimed or treated effluent under limited circumstances.
The draft rules would also encourage on-site renewable energy generation or renewable power purchase agreements to offset electricity use and eliminate potential impacts to existing utility customers. Additional standards would address noise and lighting, setbacks, landscaping, fencing and screening to reduce impacts on neighboring properties and surrounding communities.
Applicants for future data center projects would be required to submit emergency response plans developed with local fire agencies and Lyon County Emergency Management. The ordinance would also require traffic, utility, water, wastewater, electrical and fiscal impact analyses before development could occur.
The proposal includes decommissioning and financial assurance requirements intended to ensure sites are safely restored at the end of their operational life.
County officials said the ordinance development process has included participation in the National Association of Counties Rural Energy Academy, where Lyon County Commissioners and Community Development Director Gavin Henderson took part in a national peer-learning initiative focused on sharing best practices, discussing emerging energy and technology trends, and developing policies that balance economic opportunity with community priorities.
The proposed ordinance builds on previous actions by the Lyon County Board of County Commissioners, including updated renewable energy regulations that established zoning requirements and development standards for renewable energy facilities.
The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. It will be held at the Lyon County Administrative Complex, 27 S. Main Street in Yerington. Residents can also participate virtually using the meeting information provided by the county.
The draft ordinance is available in the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting materials for public review. The complete agenda and backup materials are posted online, and recordings of Board of County Commission meetings are available on the Lyon County YouTube Channel.
