Troup County board approves 90-day moratorium on data-center applications, directs UDO text amendments

The Troup County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 16 to place a 90-day moratorium on new data-center applications in unincorporated areas while county staff studies zoning rules and potential ordinance changes.

County staff told the board it will draft text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and return recommendations within about 45–60 days. The moratorium resolution, prepared by staff, pauses new applications for data processing centers so staff can review definitions, impacts and possible zoning requirements. According to staff, the moratorium would be effective for 90 days and may be extended or shortened if the board so chooses.

Commissioners and staff discussed distinctions between traditional data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations. Board members asked staff to clarify whether Bitcoin-mining operations would fall under the moratorium or require separate zoning actions; staff said it depends on how the operation is structured and whether the activity is already a lawful use at the site. Planning staff also noted that no formal data-center applications were pending in unincorporated Troup County at the time of the vote.

The board emphasized that the action was not adoption of zoning text but permission to draft amendments and to study the effects of data centers on county infrastructure, utilities and public interests. Staff said they will examine definitions used by other counties and return with recommended ordinance language and public-notice processes. When any final UDO amendments are proposed for adoption, the board said those would be processed through a formal public-hearing adoption sequence.

The moratorium was approved by voice vote; the meeting record does not include a roll-call tally. Staff said the draft text amendments and study results would be available to the public at the next formal hearing or special-business discussion.