Residents urge Sanford City Council to consider moratorium on data centers

Several Sanford residents pressed the City Council on April 7 to consider a moratorium on data center development, saying such facilities pose local risks.

Keely Puricz, of 363 Angel Road, told the council she supports a moratorium on data centers and opposed their introduction into the community. Matt Clark, of 162 Deer View, raised concerns about excessive noise that can accompany such facilities. Caroline Moser, of 2013 Cedar Lake Road, said she also supports a moratorium and voiced concerns about fracking in Lee County. Thomas Robertson Davis, of 241 David Hill Drive, described negative impacts he associates with data centers in smaller communities. Debbie Hall, of 957 Cumnock Road, said she supports a moratorium and praised rules recently drafted by the Joint Planning Commission while noting she found them insufficient and that they do not address fracking.

The comments came during the public-comment portion of the council meeting; none of the speakers presented a formal ordinance or motion at the meeting. Council members did not take immediate action on a moratorium during the session. The record of public comment will be part of meeting minutes and may inform future staff reports or council consideration.

Next steps: Council did not vote on a moratorium at the April 7 meeting. Any formal proposal to adopt a moratorium or amend local regulations would require a council agenda item, staff analysis and, where applicable, a public hearing.