Commissioners approve 180-day data center moratorium
The Coweta County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a 180-day moratorium on data center development to allow time to review and amend the county's data center ordinance. This action prevents the acceptance of new applications for permits, rezoning, or conditional uses related to data centers. Five previously submitted data center proposals are exempt due to vested rights under state law.
The Coweta County Board of Commissioners has enacted a 180-day moratorium on data center development, following a unanimous vote at its recent meeting. This temporary ban prevents the county from accepting new applications for permits, land use amendments, rezoning, conditional use, or variances related to data centers. The measure is intended to allow the board to review and potentially amend the county's existing data center ordinance.
County Attorney Nathan Lee confirmed the resolution was drafted without specific limitations. However, Commissioner Jeff Fisher expressed a desire for the moratorium to facilitate discussions on regulating on-site power generation and establishing limits on the total number of data centers within the county. Commissioners Bill McKenzie and Al Smith supported a general moratorium for a comprehensive review of the current ordinance, emphasizing the need for thorough consideration before making long-term decisions.
Notably, five data center projects already proposed in Coweta County will not be affected by the moratorium, as state law grants them vested rights due to their applications being submitted under the current ordinance. The moratorium is slated to expire on December 23, or earlier if the board successfully adopts amendments to the ordinance.