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Walker County approves 30-day moratorium on data centers; Aug. 6 hearing set on 180-day extension
Summary
The Walker County Board of Commissioners approved a 30-day temporary moratorium on data centers and directed staff to review and propose zoning amendments covering setbacks, buffers, noise, lighting and utility demands; a public hearing on a possible 180‑day extension is scheduled for Aug. 6.
The Walker County Board of Commissioners on its July agenda approved a 30‑day temporary moratorium on data centers and asked the county attorney and planning staff to review the county zoning code and draft changes addressing this land use.
The moratorium, approved at the board's July monthly meeting, directs staff to examine zoning districts, setbacks, buffers, noise and lighting standards, projected water and electricity demand, environmental impacts and compatibility with surrounding uses. The board set a public hearing for Aug. 6 to consider extending the moratorium by 180 days.
Why it matters: Data centers can have outsized impacts on local infrastructure and land use because of high power and water demands, noise and lighting profiles, and site footprint. The board's action pauses permitting while staff proposes amendments intended to mitigate those impacts and clarify where data centers may be allowed.
Details provided at the update say the moratorium takes immediate effect for 30 days; additional changes and a potential 180‑day pause will be considered at the Aug. 6 hearing. No specific ordinance text or vote tally was provided in the update. The county attorney and planning staff were tasked to return recommended code changes to the board for further review.
The county-hosted public hearing on Aug. 6 will be the next formal opportunity for residents to comment before the board considers any extension or ordinance language change.
