Lawrence County approves first reading of 12-month moratorium on data-center permits

Lawrence County Council voted 7-0 on first reading July 13 to impose a 12‑month moratorium on acceptance, review, approval and issuance of development permits for data centers, moving the county to pause new applications while staff and advisory bodies draft rules.

"The purpose of this ordinance is to provide the county with adequate time to evaluate the regulations governing data center development in the future," Councilman Matthew Brownlee said as he introduced Ordinance 10‑12. The proposed moratorium would bar rezoning applications, land development permits, building permits and site approvals for a 12‑month period beginning on the ordinance’s effective date and directs staff, the planning commission and council to develop standards for setbacks, buffering, noise, water and wastewater, electrical infrastructure, emergency‑services coordination, traffic and decommissioning.

Members of the public pressed the council for the moratorium during the public‑comment period. Nancy Garrison urged the pause, citing local infrastructure questions and noting that "a temporary moratorium gives us that opportunity to do exactly that," referencing a wastewater incident at a data center under construction in Cheyenne, Wyoming as a cautionary example. Other residents asked for impact studies on power, water and emergency services before any approvals.

Several council members debated timing and duration. Councilman Patterson said he supported staff beginning work immediately and urged a shorter deadline to return with draft regulations; Brownlee and others said a 12‑month moratorium allows the county to study the issues and present comprehensive rules. The ordinance requires the council to review the status of the study no later than six months after adoption and allows the council to extend the moratorium by resolution if necessary.

The vote on first reading was 7 in favor, 0 opposed. The ordinance is referenced on the agenda as Ordinance 10‑12; if it follows standard procedure, it will require two more readings (and any applicable public hearings) before final adoption. The council discussed staff beginning work immediately to draft required regulations and review timelines.

Next steps: staff, the planning commission and the council will begin work on drafting the regulatory package identified in the ordinance; the council’s next scheduled reading and any public hearings have not yet been set.