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Residents call for moratorium and greater transparency on data-center development and UDO changes
Summary
Residents urged Lee County commissioners to pause data-center development while the Unified Development Ordinance is revised, citing concerns about NDAs, large outside investors, and inadequate local controls; commenters asked for a public pledge on NDAs and a moratorium while rules are improved.
During public comments at the May 18 meeting, several residents urged the board to impose a moratorium on data-center development or, at minimum, strengthen the countyUnified Development Ordinance (UDO) and improve transparency for negotiations with developers.
Speakers raised concerns after recent meetings where the board considered UDO amendments. Randy Nixon and Laura Block described rapid shifts in county policy—from discussion of a moratorium to moving quickly on UDO amendments—and urged the board to pause development approvals while standards are rewritten. Commenters said out-of-state representatives and private non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) have complicated public review and called for a public pledge to avoid NDAs in local government negotiations.
One commenter cited a text message figure of $5 billion and suggested larger, undisclosed operators may be considering sites in Lee County; another urged commissioners to prioritize public accountability, saying local officials should avoid secrecy around large infrastructure projects.
County staff and commissioners did not take direct action on a moratorium during the meeting; staff and the board acknowledged the issue as a topic of ongoing discussion and noted forthcoming UDO amendments and public process steps.
