The Churchill County Board of Commissioners postponed consideration of new industrial development regulations, including standards for data centers, and upheld a code enforcement ruling involving the Mudd Bluff property during its Nov. 5 meeting.
Bill 2026-C would establish three categories of data centers based on electrical demand — less than 10 megawatts, 10 to less than 100 megawatts, and 100 megawatts or more — along with standards for water use, backup generators, noise, lighting, traffic, and sanitation.
County Manager Joe Sanford recommended postponing the first reading while the Planning Commission continues its review. Residents questioned why the ordinance was before commissioners after the Planning Commission voted 6-0 on Oct. 14 to continue the matter.
During public comment, Julianne Summers Crago raised concerns about groundwater testing, backup generator operating hours, and noise standards affecting nearby residents. "I'm not against businesses coming here, but I don't understand why we're making these protections less strict instead of stronger," she said.
Kevin O'Callaghan questioned a change that could allow administrative approval of data centers using less than 10 megawatts in one zoning district, rather than requiring Planning Commission review.
Estelle Hockemier accused county officials of moving forward with industrial development plans without adequately consulting water authorities or responding to residents' concerns. She said representatives of the Nevada Division of Water Resources and Truckee-Carson Irrigation District told her they had not received information about the proposed Churchill Hazen Industrial Park project. Hockemier also questioned discrepancies in parcel numbers and the county's handling of water rights.
Commissioners ultimately tabled the proposed industrial development ordinance pending further review.
In a separate matter, commissioners voted 3-0 to uphold an Aug. 21 code enforcement order involving Rodney Coleman's Mudd Bluff property at 14236 Power Line Road.
The order requires special use permits for activities classified by the county as a campground or recreational vehicle park, craft and art studio, outdoor recreation and entertainment facility, and outdoor storage. It also requires replacing an existing 12-foot-wide bridge with one at least 20 feet wide for emergency access.
Coleman disputed the classifications, saying the property is used for private, noncommercial gatherings, camping, and art-related activities involving friends and members of the Burning Man community. "We are not interested in creating a KOA campground in Western Churchill County," Coleman said.
Coleman said the bridge was built about eight years ago after consulting local officials. Kathy Wilson, a longtime participant in Mudd Bluff activities, said it cost $20,000 and questioned why it must be replaced.
Coleman said recreational vehicles had been removed, while Wilson reported that approximately 20,000 pounds of rubbish had been hauled away. Continued cleanup could resolve the rubbish violation.
Sanford said no fine had been issued and explained that the bridge requirement was intended to allow emergency vehicles to enter while other vehicles were leaving. He said Coleman could seek a variance. Vice Chairman Eric Blakey encouraged Coleman to continue working with county planning staff.
Commissioners also approved an amendment to the county's agreement to sell the former mobile home park at 2255 Casey Road to Silver Sage Developments LLC for $525,000. The developer would pay $135,000 down, with the county financing the remaining $390,000 at 7% interest. Payments would be interest-only, with the principal due within 18 months.
Silver Sage is also planning Silver Spur Village, a proposed mixed-use development on nearly 16 acres west of Walmart, in the same area as the former mobile home park. The conceptual plan includes 70 attached townhomes, a four-story hotel with up to 137 rooms, and retail and restaurant space. The development has not yet received approval.
The board approved issuing a notice of award to A&K Earthmovers for reconstruction of approximately 3.1 miles of Lone Tree Road, from U.S. Highway 95 to Solias Road. The $6.1 million project is associated with the Fallon Range Training Complex expansion and will be funded by the Navy through federal and state transportation agencies. Sanford said the amount includes $1 million for contingencies.
In other business, commissioners approved a tentative map for the 88-unit Birch Creek subdivision off Birch Lane, with conditions, and $2,000 for the Fallon Animal Welfare Group. They also set a Nov. 18 public hearing on proposed landscaping, fencing, outdoor storage, and shipping container regulations.
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