Is an AI data center coming to Pocatello? Weigh in on Thursday
Pocatello, Idaho, is holding a public hearing on Thursday to decide whether to grant a conditional-use permit for an unspecified AI data center on 59 acres of land previously occupied by a bankrupt polysilicon plant. The applicant, Gus Shultz of Lex Developments LLC, seeks approval to secure future development, while city officials emphasize the need for public input due to the unique nature of the project.
A public hearing will be held on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Pocatello, Idaho, to determine whether a conditional-use permit (CUP) should be granted for an AI data center in the Portneuf Valley. The hearing, led by the Pocatello Hearing Examiner, will allow residents to voice concerns or support for the project, which involves 59 acres of land at 1800 River Park Way—formerly the site of a polysilicon plant operated by Hawaii-based Hoku Materials before its 2013 bankruptcy. The applicant for the CUP is Gus Shultz of Lex Developments LLC, though details about the company remain unclear. The current landowner, Portneuf Capital LLC, did not respond to requests for comment. The city’s planning director, Brent McLane, stated that the hearing examiner has three options: approve the application as submitted, approve it with conditions, or deny it entirely. Decisions can later be appealed to the City Council. Mayor Mark Dahlquist clarified that the city has not yet taken a stance on the project, emphasizing that its role is to facilitate the application process as required by Idaho law. McLane noted that the city’s zoning code does not explicitly address data centers, making this a unique case that warrants public input. Residents will have three minutes each to speak, with no time limit set for the meeting’s duration. The proposed site is zoned for industrial use, but the city has no existing restrictions or permissions for data centers. McLane explained that the public hearing aims to gather concerns and opinions, as the project’s specifics—such as energy requirements and potential impacts—remain undefined. The CUP application includes a preliminary design map, though key details about the facility’s operations and the developer’s plans are still under review.
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