Jackson County extends moratorium on high‑density computing facilities through Aug. 4, 2027

Jackson County supervisors voted Aug. 4 to extend a temporary moratorium on acceptance and approval of applications for high‑density computing and data‑processing facilities in unincorporated areas of the county through Aug. 4, 2027.

Becca Fuha, introduced on the record as the county zoning administrator, told the board the moratorium is not intended to be permanent but to "preserve the county's ability to complete a thoughtful and legally defensible ordinance before an application is submitted under our existing regulations." Fuha said staff and the zoning commission have held joint work sessions, reviewed public comments and researched how other counties are regulating data‑center development.

Supervisors questioned whether the moratorium documents had been circulated; one member asked staff to resend materials by email. Board discussion described both potential drawbacks and benefits of pausing application acceptance to allow time for technical review. A supervisor cited a published case in Altoona and noted the potential for jobs; Fuha and others emphasized balancing local impacts and evolving technology.

The motion to extend the moratorium was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; three supervisors spoke in favor during the roll call and the chair announced the motion carries. The resolution was recorded in the meeting transcript with the spoken label "resolution 12 o 5 dash o 8 dash o 4 dash 20 26."