Franklin County pauses data‑center applications and schedules one‑year moratorium hearing

The Franklin County Board of County Commissioners voted June 3 to place a planning pause on new applications for large-scale “data centers” and to schedule a public hearing to consider a one‑year moratorium while staff and the county attorney draft permanent regulations.

County Planner Bree Robinson told the board she has identified gaps in the county code that could allow an applicant to call a data center a warehouse or storage facility and thereby seek approval under existing commercial zoning. Robinson cited concerns common to other Florida counties — high energy use, substantial water needed for cooling, limited local jobs relative to infrastructure demands, noise and tax/exemption questions — and warned that Franklin County’s environmentally sensitive landscape makes caution prudent.

After public comment and extended discussion, the board adopted two actions: a board direction to staff to pause acceptance and processing of data‑center applications immediately, and authorization for County Attorney Michael Shuler to schedule a public hearing to consider a one‑year moratorium. Commissioner Cheryl Sanders moved the planning pause; the board proceeded by unanimous vote to set the pause and to direct counsel to bring a moratorium ordinance back for public hearing.

Robinson noted Senate Bill 484 (effective July 1, 2026) gives local governments authority to regulate or restrict certain data‑center development, but she recommended the county use the moratorium period to evaluate other counties’ regulations, draft a carefully written local definition of “data center,” and craft enforceable local standards before allowing new applications to be processed.

Commissioners voiced a range of concerns: Vice‑Chair Jessica Ward stressed water and electrical load risks for the island and asked for a definitive local definition; Commissioner Ottice Amison emphasized the county’s limited infrastructure; and Commissioner Sanders said she supports an outright ban but accepted the moratorium process as the next step. The moratorium hearing will be noticed publicly and will give residents an opportunity to comment before the Board considers a permanent rule.

What’s next: staff will not accept or process new data‑center applications while the planning pause is in effect. The County Attorney will schedule the public hearing on a one‑year moratorium; during that period staff and counsel will draft regulatory language (definitions, permitted zones, thresholds for water and power use, setbacks and environmental review) for the Board’s consideration.