Commission adopts temporary planning moratorium on medium- and large-scale data centers

The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 2026-614, a temporary planning moratorium on medium-scale and large-scale data center development while staff studies and ordinance refinements proceed.

County attorney Mr. Commando said the draft ordinance incorporates a definition of "medium-scale data centers" and closes a previous gap around megawatt thresholds by using the Senate staff analysis as a guide. "We did incorporate a definition of medium scale data centers," counsel said in explaining amendments made after the first reading. During the hearing, Jessica Finch of the St. Johns Riverkeeper told the board she welcomed language that protects public input and guards against ministerial approvals that could allow development without discretionary review.

The moratorium is effective as of the board’s vote and directs staff to study the issue, refine definitions and return with recommended code changes. Commissioners said the moratorium is intended to preserve the public’s opportunity for input while the county completes a study of energy, water, and infrastructure impacts related to larger data-center proposals.