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Candidate urges 180‑day moratorium on Columbia County data‑center applications
Summary
Cambry Wood, a candidate for Columbia County commission chair, asked the board to place a resolution imposing a 180‑day pause on new data‑center applications so staff and the public can draft stronger, enforceable local rules covering setbacks, utilities, decommissioning and community protections.
Cambry Wood, a candidate for chair of the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, urged the board during public comment to adopt a temporary 180‑day moratorium on acceptance and processing of new data‑center applications.
“My name is Cambry Wood… I’m presenting for your consideration a proposed resolution establishing a temporary 180 day moratorium on the acceptance and processing of new applications related to data center developments in Columbia County,” Wood said, explaining the pause would allow the county to review current ordinances, identify gaps and prepare a comprehensive ordinance with robust public engagement.
Wood told commissioners the moratorium is not a blanket rejection of data centers but is intended to ensure large developments are governed by “comprehensive, enforceable, transparent” rules covering land use, setbacks, buffers, noise and generator operations, electrical demand and decommissioning. She asked the board to require a minimum of three public town halls (one before drafting, one on the draft, and one on responses) and to direct the county attorney and staff to draft ordinance language for later public consideration.
Board members did not take formal action on the proposal during the meeting. A commissioner present said they have previously requested ordinance changes and support further review, and another commissioner reminded the public that some related work is already under way.
