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Legislature perfects ordinance, amends data‑center moratorium to 180 days
Summary
Legislature amended a proposed 120‑day moratorium on data‑center and battery energy storage land‑use applications to 180 days, perfected the ordinance as amended and directed planning and public input before final passage.
The Jackson County Legislature debated an ordinance to pause processing of data‑center and battery energy storage land‑use applications while officials craft long‑term policy and enhanced public‑notification rules. Vice Chair (speaker 7) moved to amend the proposed 120‑day moratorium to 180 days to allow more time for public input and technical work, the amendment was seconded and approved, and the ordinance was perfected as amended.
"I will move to amend this to implement a 180 day moratorium," the vice chair said on the floor when proposing the change. Sponsors described the pause as an opportunity for the plan commission, the legislature and citizens to consider notification thresholds, environmental protections and zoning updates. Members discussed whether any pending applicants would be affected; the county executive said one battery plant had met with legislators but had not submitted permits.
Legislators said the extended moratorium would allow the county and its municipalities to create clearer rules for notification (for example, raising the number of property owners notified) and to solicit expertise before approving applications. The motion to perfect the ordinance as amended carried on recorded roll calls; the sponsor said final passage could occur at a later meeting to satisfy higher vote thresholds.
