Marion County officials deciding fate of proposed data center moratorium
Marion County commissioners are poised to make a final decision on a proposed 12-month moratorium on new data centers. This pause would allow the county to address concerns regarding environmental impacts, particularly water and electricity consumption, and update land use regulations for such facilities. The proposal received a unanimous recommendation for approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Marion County commissioners are scheduled to cast a final vote on an ordinance proposing a 12-month moratorium on new data center developments. The proposed ordinance, slated as the concluding item for their September 15 meeting, would temporarily halt the acceptance, review, and approval of all data center-related permits and rezonings for up to 365 days.
The initiative follows a unanimous recommendation for approval from the Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission. County officials indicate that current land development regulations lack specific zoning criteria to adequately address the operational impacts of modern data processing facilities, which include potential high electricity and water consumption, continuous noise, and demand for large tracts of land.
A primary concern highlighted by the county is the potential strain on local groundwater supplies and regional utility grids, particularly given Marion County's location atop the Floridan Aquifer and its numerous Outstanding Florida Springs. The moratorium aims to allow county staff, public agencies, and water management districts to conduct a comprehensive study assessing groundwater withdrawal impacts, electrical grid capacity, and land use compatibility.
During this period, staff intend to develop and propose new comprehensive plan amendments and land development regulation revisions, potentially mandating water conservation technologies like closed-loop cooling systems. The proposed moratorium covers various types of data processing facilities, including cryptocurrency mining and AI computing hubs, while exempting internal IT facilities for businesses or government entities. This local push follows the recent passage of Florida Senate Bill 484, which preserved municipal zoning authority over utility and water management. The public hearing for the ordinance will be held at the McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium in Ocala.