Stephens County approves short moratorium while first-reading of land-use changes, including draft data‑center rules, moves forward

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing during the board’s regular meeting and conducted a first reading of proposed changes to the county Land Use Ordinance that would tighten rules for accessory buildings and add a conditional-use pathway for data centers.

Sam Hamilton, who read the ordinance language for the board, described two broad changes: clarifying setbacks for accessory structures — including a rule that accessory buildings placed before a principal structure must meet principal-use setbacks — and exemptions for certain large, buffered residential single parcels and lakefront properties bordering U.S. Army Corps land. Hamilton said the county has not received any data‑center applications and that the proposed data‑center provisions are “due diligence” to prepare for any future interest. He summarized the draft as requiring a minimum site area of 10 acres, fencing and security, and several buffer setbacks (1,000 feet from existing residences; 500 feet from residential or agricultural zones; 200 feet from major collectors; 100 feet from local roads), plus utility- and water‑usage studies.

During public comment, resident Lisa Culberson — who identified herself as having bought a six‑acre property with a barn and a mobile home — said the accessory-structure changes would allow her existing barn to remain if she later splits her property. “We have a barn on the property…we put a mobile home on the property behind the barn,” Culberson said. Hamilton confirmed existing barns would be grandfathered but cautioned that future lot‑line changes near setbacks could require a variance.

A commissioner warned of local concerns about the impacts of data centers on water supplies, citing another county’s recent experience: “If any of the fellow commissioners or anybody in the audience has followed Project Sale in Doonan, Georgia, they would be strongly against data centers,” the commissioner said, referencing broken promises and a recent 3‑2 approval in that nearby case. Board members agreed staff should add language addressing infrastructure and energy‑cost impacts and suggested placing that language under the ordinance’s study thresholds (section 5B).

After public comment and discussion, the board approved a short moratorium barring acceptance of land‑use applications for data centers while the ordinance revisions are finalized; Hamilton said staff will prepare revised language for a second reading scheduled for April 28 and that the moratorium could be lifted at that meeting if changes are complete.

The ordinance’s next steps are staff refinements and a second reading and vote at the April 28 meeting. The county did not identify any pending data‑center applicants.