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Titusville adopts aerospace and light‑manufacturing ordinance; council asks staff to study prohibiting data centers
Summary
By a 3–1 vote the Titusville City Council adopted Ordinance 11‑2026 to clarify and expand permitted aerospace and light‑manufacturing activities in planned industrial zones; the council also unanimously directed staff to research whether the city can legally bar data centers and to return options if not.
Titusville City Council on June 9 approved Ordinance 11‑2026 to clarify the city’s code for light manufacturing and explicitly allow aerospace and defense‑related research and manufacturing in designated planned industrial development (PID) areas, a change staff said is intended to support economic development tied to the local aerospace cluster.
The ordinance updates zoning definitions and permits certain accessory uses — including limited childcare facilities and parking structures as part of an approved PID — while limiting where more intensive activities may be located. Brad Parish, the city attorney, said the change is intended to align the code with the airport and industrial areas where aerospace firms are already operating or seeking to invest.
Public commenters were split. Jesse Wright, a local developer, said the change will help retain jobs and build local occupancy in existing commercial properties. Opponents urged caution; Elizabeth Parker and others said the ordinance’s language is broad and could be used to approve uses with heavy water or environmental needs unless safeguards are added. "There's way too many questions here," Parker said, asking the council to pause and clarify definitions and infrastructure impacts before adopting the ordinance.
Member Nelson moved to approve Ordinance 11‑2026 at final reading; Member Stokel seconded. The ordinance passed 3–1: Members Nelson, Stokel and Mayor Connors voted yes; Member Muscoso voted no. After the vote Member Nelson asked staff to examine whether the city has legal authority to prohibit data centers; Member Muscoso seconded that direction. Council voted unanimously to request legal advisability and alternatives to prohibit or limit data‑center development and asked staff to return with options.
City staff told the council that whether a specific high‑water or high‑power user (for example, a large data center) could locate in Titusville depends on the specifics of any future application and site capabilities; the council asked for a follow‑up that would clarify legal tools to prevent unintended uses while preserving aerospace‑industry opportunities.
Council also noted letters of support from the airport and the local economic development organization and said the ordinance is intended to encourage local job growth while retaining review safeguards for site‑specific conditions.
