Planning commission backs a 12‑month moratorium on large‑scale data center applications
The commission recommended a 12‑month moratorium (ordinance 26‑42) on data center and other large‑load customer applications in unincorporated Manatee County to give staff time to draft zoning and comp‑plan updates; commissioners cited SB 44 definitions and legal uncertainty around state preemption.
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The Planning Commission voted 6–0 to recommend a county‑initiated draft ordinance (26‑42) that would temporarily pause acceptance and processing of data‑center and other large‑load customer development orders in unincorporated Manatee County for 12 months. Planner Jay Stierman told the commission that Florida's SB 44 (effective July 1, 2026) defines "large scale data center" and "large load customer," requires minimum energy tariffs and restricts water allocation permits where proposed water use would be harmful to resources or inconsistent with local zoning and comprehensive plans.
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