Newton County enacts emergency moratorium on data center applications

The Newton County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an emergency resolution placing a moratorium on the acceptance of applications, requests or submissions proposing new data centers in unincorporated Newton County.

Shana Applewhite, the county's director of development services, told the board that current ordinances only address data centers in Stampede Springs and that the county has seen “an influx of inquiries and applications” requiring broader zoning changes. Maurice Carter of Sustainable Newton urged commissioners to “urge the board to enact the data center moratorium as proposed,” citing concerns about noise, light, water use and air quality from generators and turbines.

Commissioner Edwards, who has tracked data-center proposals across the region, said the pause is intended to give staff time to draft a text amendment that would be folded into the county’s unified development ordinance. “So, we're hoping this puts a pause in place,” Edwards said, describing the moratorium as a tool to protect county infrastructure and give officials time to craft enforceable standards.

The motion to adopt the emergency resolution passed on a voice vote with no recorded roll call. The board directed staff to develop zoning text addressing distance, noise and environmental controls and to coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions where appropriate. The resolution will remain in effect while the county prepares a UDO amendment and related implementation steps.