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Flagler County imposes 12‑month moratorium on unincorporated data center siting
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners voted 5‑0 on July 13 to adopt a 12‑month moratorium on siting data centers in unincorporated Flagler County while staff prepares comprehensive‑plan and land‑development code rules, including decommissioning criteria and public education.
The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners on July 13 adopted a 12‑month moratorium on the siting of data centers within the county’s unincorporated areas, closing the permitting window while officials draft siting criteria and plan amendments.
Commissioner Dantz made the motion on first reading and emphasized the need to plan before permitting. “I like to make a motion to adopt 9a, adoption of a 12 month moratorium on the siting of data centers in unincorporated Flagler County,” he said. County Attorney Michael Rodriguez and planning staff told the board the pause would allow a comp‑plan amendment and land‑development code changes to be drafted and adopted; the moratorium can be terminated early if the new regulations are in place before the year is up.
Staff said data centers are typically sited on large, rural parcels and that local rules should address utility service, water use, decommissioning and environmental impacts. “The moratorium becomes basically moot once the regulations are in effect,” county counsel told commissioners, describing the moratorium as a tool to prevent rushed applications while the county develops criteria.
Members discussed the scope and duration of a moratorium that would give staff time to work with the Northeast Florida Regional Council on educational outreach and to ensure comprehensive‑plan amendments and code language are drafted correctly. A speaker from the public raised concerns about regional water use and decommissioning when arguing for a longer review window; commissioners generally supported one year as sufficient for drafting and public engagement.
The board voted 5‑0 to approve the moratorium on first reading, with staff directed to return with draft regulations and outreach plans aimed at balancing economic development with resource and neighborhood protections. The moratorium will permit staff time to propose standards for setbacks, utility and water use limits, and decommissioning procedures to be considered at future hearings.
