Lee County Commissioners Consider Extending Data Center Moratorium
Lee County commissioners are considering extending a moratorium on data center development until the end of 2026. The current freeze expires in July, and the extension aims to provide time to draft a new zoning ordinance specifically for data centers. Officials emphasize this is a protective measure, not an invitation for new projects, with a vote expected on June 9, 2026.
Lee County commissioners are deliberating an extension of the county's moratorium on data center development, aiming to prolong the pause until the end of 2026. The existing moratorium is set to expire in July. During a May 26, 2026 meeting, county leaders, including County Manager Scott Addison, stated that the county currently lacks ordinances to properly identify, define, or permit data centers, leaving them without protections.
Since the initial moratorium was adopted, Addison, along with the county attorney and consultants, has been drafting a new data center ordinance. This proposed ordinance would establish a specific zoning district for data center developments. Commission Chairman Luke Singletary explained that the goal is to implement these rules before any data center applications are received, preventing developers from being "grandfathered in" under existing, less regulated ordinances. Commissioners have committed to releasing the draft ordinance for public feedback and are scheduled to hold an official vote on the moratorium extension at their June 9, 2026 meeting.