Candler County Officials Consider Zoning, Moratorium Amid Data Center Site Exploration
Landowners in Candler County, Georgia, are exploring two potential sites for data center development, prompting county officials to consider changes to zoning ordinances and a potential moratorium on data centers. One site is within the City of Metter, while the other is in unincorporated Candler County. No specific development plans or agreements have been made, but public hearings and votes would be required for any project in the county's jurisdiction.
Candler County Administrator Bryan Aasheim announced that two separate groups representing landowners are exploring potential data center sites in the county, prompting local officials to consider zoning changes and a possible moratorium on data center development.
One proposed site is located west of Highway 129 off Hiawatha Street, within the City of Metter, meaning any development there would fall under the jurisdiction of the Metter Planning Commission and City Council. The second site is adjacent to Interstate 16 and the Metter-Candler Airport, situated in unincorporated Candler County, thus requiring approval from the Candler County Board of Commissioners.
Currently, most of Candler County is zoned AG-3, which does not permit commercial development without a zoning change. Aasheim stated that the county has not agreed to any specific plans, nor has it signed any nondisclosure agreements. The Board of Commissioners is discussing whether additional regulations or changes to the county's zoning ordinance are necessary to protect residents, including considering a moratorium on data centers, amid broader statewide debates in Georgia regarding data center impacts on resources like water and electricity.