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Citrus County orders temporary moratorium on data-center approvals after hours of public comment
Summary
Following hours of public testimony about water use, noise, and environmental risk, the BOCC directed staff to draft a temporary moratorium (up to 12 months) on data-center permits, development orders and rezoning while county land development rules are revised.
After a multi-hour public-comment block and technical discussion, the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners directed staff to draft an ordinance imposing a temporary moratorium on data-center-related building permits, development orders and rezoning while the county revises land development regulations.
The item drew large turnout and dozens of speakers. Residents cited concerns about heavy water and power demand, potential contamination or PFAS exposure from cooling systems, noise and property-value declines. Tracy Landry, among others, urged commissioners to adopt a meaningful moratorium and to treat the proposal as more than a zoning question: "If this is a true moratorium and not some kind of ruse... then I'm all for it," she said during public comment.
County staff and commissioners discussed the legal framing and draft language. County Attorney Denise A. Diamond advised that a time-limited moratorium (not to exceed 12 months) keyed to adoption of specific land-development regulations would reduce legal risk while the county completes a fuller public process. Commissioners emphasized the need to solicit subject-matter experts on hydrology, power impacts and wildlife effects before finalizing standards.
The board voted 5-0 to direct staff to return with a proposed moratorium and revised LDC language. The chair described water protection as the priority; staff said the Planning & Development Commission meeting scheduled May 21 would move forward on unrelated LDC changes but the data-center language would be pulled so the county can workshop and incorporate public and expert input.
The moratorium directs staff to prepare draft ordinance language and to pursue public workshops, technical review and a public hearing sequence that will be considered by the PDC and then the board. Commissioners said they intended the moratorium to pause new approvals so the county can adopt standards addressing cooling systems, noise, water use and decommissioning responsibilities.
