Citizens present model data-center ordinance and urge Columbia County to impose moratorium

Lee Muns, speaking for Citizens for Open Governance, presented a model data-center ordinance and development framework and asked the Columbia County Board of Commissioners to consider a moratorium on new data-center zoning until the county reviews the submitted recommendations.

Muns told commissioners the group had spent months researching ordinances and operational experience in other communities and identified issues about water, power, noise, emergency services, traffic, long-term land use, and lifecycle governance. "As electrical demand grows, so too will the need for substations, transmission lines, power generation, cooling infrastructure, and supporting facilities," Muns said, arguing the county should plan for infrastructure needs and require financial assurances, independent technical review, and operational performance standards.

He said the submitted model is intended as a practical resource that the county may review, modify or reject, and requested the document and the written presentation be entered into the public record. Muns also urged commissioners to "issue a moratorium" on new data-center zoning so the county can review the framework before approving additional projects; he noted local conversations about large land sales and said citizens had identified near 3,000 acres being considered for data-center use near the Riverwood subdivision.

Commissioners thanked Muns for the presentation; no formal action on a moratorium was taken at the meeting. The board adjourned after completing the remaining agenda items.