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Residents urge permanent ban on data centers, cite water and health risks
Summary
At the July 9 public hearing, multiple residents urged Santa Rosa County commissioners to ban data centers outright, citing large daily water withdrawals, strain on the power grid, stormwater and health/noise concerns; speakers repeatedly said a moratorium should be followed by land‑use changes or a permanent ban.
Dozens of residents told the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners on July 9 that the county should ban data centers rather than pause them for a year. Speakers repeatedly singled out water use, power‑grid strain, stormwater impacts and noise, and several asked the county to follow neighboring counties in adopting permanent prohibitions.
"A data center uses 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 gallons per day," said Craig Morin, a lifelong county resident, who urged the board to "nip it in the bud" and ban data centers to protect local water resources. Multiple commenters referenced shared watersheds with Escambia County and warned that allowing one facility could invite many more. "Water doesn't stop at the county line," another commenter said, urging a blanket ban to protect wells in Pace, Milton and East Milton.
Other residents highlighted legal and policy routes. Bill Cody said he provided commissioners a 57‑page legal opinion he said shows counties can ban data centers outright, and urged the board to take that course. Chance John Meyer cited a local project filing (PZ2026‑7 at 8700 Technology Drive) and argued the moratorium appeared to be a tactical pause rather than decisive action.
Speakers from civic groups and local environmental advocates asked the board to couple a moratorium with land‑use changes or to commit immediately to pursuing a permanent ban. "A 12‑month moratorium is a start if you follow up with the land‑use change," said Christie Rosen, cofounder of the Indivisible chapter If Not Us. Residents asked commissioners to ensure staff prioritizes the work and to return proposed permanent language promptly.
The board received the comments and directed staff and the county attorney to prepare the factual findings and draft amendments; no vote occurred at the July 9 hearing.
