Commissioners approve one-year moratorium on data centers and cable landing stations while zoning language is finalized

County planning staff told commissioners on July 7 that, following a June direction, they drafted five policy recommendations for amendments to the zoning code governing data centers and cable landing stations. Commissioners debated whether to confine data centers to Heavy Industrial zones, ban them countywide, or adopt strict permit conditions.

Members raised recurring concerns about water and wastewater availability, noise (including low-frequency noise) and electric-grid impacts. Environmental programs staff said data centers use large amounts of water and produce wastewater that must be routed appropriately; staff also noted broader grid impacts and potential increases in local air pollution if backup generators run around the clock.

Commissioner Fiore moved to ban data centers in all zoning districts; the motion was seconded. After additional discussion about legal vulnerability of a total countywide ban, Commissioner Fiore later proposed, and the commission approved, a one-year moratorium on both data centers and cable landing stations to give staff time to draft ordinance language and require additional studies (for example, sound-impact assessments) used in other counties.

Commissioners requested draft ordinance language, maps showing where data centers would be permitted or prohibited, and studies addressing water withdrawal, wastewater handling, noise, and utility infrastructure impacts. Staff said it would bring draft language and a moratorium resolution back to the board.