Pocatello City Council to hear AI data center appeal
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POCATELLO — The Pocatello City Council is scheduled to hear Lex Developments LLC’s appeal of the denial of its proposal to build an AI data center at the former Hoku Materials site on July 16.
The appeal comes about two months after a packed public hearing on the proposal was held on May 14 and lasted more than four hours. Lex Developments filed its formal appeal on June 1, one day before the filing deadline.
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The appeal stems from Hearing Examiner Kathleen Lewis’ decision to deny the company’s conditional use permit application following the May 14 public hearing that drew hundreds of residents. The meeting lasted more than four hours, with most of the witnesses voicing opposition to the proposed AI data center.
Lewis denied the permit later that month, concluding that the company had not provided sufficient information to demonstrate that the project could be adequately served by public utilities or that it would avoid adverse environmental impacts and protect public health and safety, not because of public opposition.
As an appellate hearing, the City Council’s review is limited to the record established during the May 14 hearing and will not include new evidence or testimony.
The council is expected to hear the appeal at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 911 North Seventh Avenue, according to a legal notice.