Charlotte County wary of data centers amid water concerns
Charlotte County commissioners opted against developing new data center regulations for now, maintaining existing prohibitions due to significant concerns about water usage, energy demands, and community impact. They plan to revisit the issue in six months after further review and stakeholder outreach.
Charlotte County commissioners recently decided against developing new regulations for data centers, instead opting to maintain the county's existing prohibition on such facilities. This decision comes after Planning and Zoning Official Shaun Cullinan presented on Senate Bill 484, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, which empowers local governments to create their own data center regulations.
Commissioners, particularly Stephen R. Deutsch, voiced significant concerns over data centers' high water consumption, citing examples like a facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa, using 1.4 million gallons daily. Other worries included noise, energy demands, heat generation, and potential strain on the electrical grid, as highlighted by Cullinan.
Despite acknowledging potential benefits like high-paying jobs and an expanded tax base, the board agreed to delay action for six months, seeking to observe other local governments' responses to the new state law and planning site tours. Commissioner Ken Doherty suggested future data centers be subject to a Planned Development process, prohibit potable water for cooling, and include a half-mile setback. The City of Punta Gorda also urged comprehensive planning updates.
Currently, no data center applications are pending in Charlotte County, and any future proposals would be denied under current rules. Commission Chair Joe Tiseo indicated the board will re-evaluate the matter, engaging stakeholders through community outreach before considering any regulatory changes.