Bay County planners recommend six‑month moratorium on new large‑scale data centers after public concern over water, power and land‑use impacts

The Bay County Planning Commission on June 23 voted to forward a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners supporting a six‑month temporary moratorium on new data center and similar large‑load customer developments in unincorporated Bay County, with a provision allowing the moratorium to be extended to 12 months if staff needs more time.

Planning staff, represented by Wayne, told commissioners the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and 5G infrastructure has driven demand for data center development and that these facilities can impose heavy burdens on electrical systems, water and wastewater capacity, emergency services and other infrastructure. "Staff recommends establishing a 6‑month temporary moratorium on the acceptance and approval of new data center and similar large load technology facility applications," Wayne said, explaining the pause would allow staff to draft amendments to the Bay County Land Development Regulations (LDR) covering zoning districts, definitions, buffering, and utility coordination.

The moratorium proposal drew sustained public comment. Kevin Campbell, a North Bay County resident, said the six‑month study window is insufficient and urged a longer period to study environmental and infrastructure impacts, particularly the county's groundwater resources: "I don't know how much a data center would have used for water…6 months is not nearly enough time for impact, environmental impact, infrastructure impact," he said. Frank DePinto, also a resident, urged the county to coordinate with incorporated municipalities and share research to avoid duplicative effort.

Other speakers raised concerns about energy sourcing, long‑term site reuse and waste. "I'm not against AI data centers as a whole," said Gary Stroup, identifying himself as a local resident and realtor, but warned that large facilities can create significant long‑term liabilities if they are abandoned. Several commenters urged that any rules encourage cleaner cooling and energy solutions such as recycled cooling water and on‑site renewable generation.

During commission discussion, members asked how staff arrived at six months and whether the county has authority to apply similar pauses inside municipalities. Staff and the county attorney's office representatives said local authority applies only to unincorporated areas; municipalities would make their own decisions. The ordinance language as drafted allows an initial six‑month moratorium and a one‑time extension up to 12 months by board resolution.

A motion to forward the recommended moratorium to the Board of County Commissioners passed on the commission's consent; commissioners recorded affirmative responses during the roll call. Staff told the commission the moratorium will be followed by drafting specific LDR amendments and that those drafts would return first to the planning commission and then to the board for adoption, at which point the moratorium could be repealed or replaced by the permanent regulations.

The planning commission's action is a recommendation; the Board of County Commissioners will consider the ordinance and any extension or final language at a future meeting. Public commenters asked that the Board consider a longer study period and to coordinate findings with the seven incorporated municipalities in Bay County.