Lynn Haven pauses processing of data/AI center permits while ordinance is drafted

The Lynn Haven City Commission on a unanimous vote adopted Resolution 2026-06-561, directing city staff not to accept, process or act on applications for development permits, site plans, rezonings, variances or building permits for data centers or AI data centers pending the adoption of a defining ordinance.

City Manager (unnamed) read the resolution and said the measure formalizes an earlier direction not to accept additional applications while staff prepares an ordinance and studies feasibility. "This is the proper first step in preventing any type of data/AI center from being built here," the manager said, describing the item as part of due diligence to evaluate a one-year pause and associated studies.

Commissioners framed the resolution as preliminary policy-making rather than an outright ban. One commissioner said the pause is designed to allow time for studies and ordinance drafting so the city can later permit, condition or deny projects under clear rules. The resolution’s text ties the definition of "data center" to the forthcoming ordinance language.

The commission voted 5–0 to adopt the resolution. No public speakers opposed the procedural pause during the discussion; a member of the public asked for clarity about how "data center" will be defined in the ordinance and whether the resolution should remain in effect until the ordinance is drafted. Staff replied that the resolution is intended to hold until commission review of the drafted ordinance.

The resolution does not itself impose zoning changes; instead it instructs staff to suspend processing of covered applications while the ordinance is prepared and returned for commission review. City staff said they will return with a proposed ordinance and additional analysis on timeline and possible regulatory options.

Next steps: staff will draft an ordinance defining data centers/AI data centers and propose regulatory language for future commission action.