30-day data center moratorium approved by Cherokee County commission
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a 30-day moratorium on data center development. This pause allows staff to research and develop specific regulations, as the county currently lacks dedicated ordinances for data centers. Officials plan to propose a longer, 180-day extension to the moratorium at an upcoming public hearing.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a 30-day moratorium on data center applications during its July 21 meeting, making it one of the latest metro Atlanta governments to temporarily halt such developments.
Community Development Director Brantley Day stated that the moratorium is crucial because the county currently lacks specific ordinances for data centers, despite a surge in proposals and construction across Georgia. The 30-day period will allow the Community Development Agency and the legal department to research and craft an appropriate ordinance that aligns with Cherokee County's future land use vision. There are currently no pending data center applications in the county.
The commission also scheduled a public hearing for August 18 at 6 p.m. at the Cherokee County Administration Building in Canton to discuss extending the moratorium. Day indicated that the county plans to request a 180-day extension at this hearing, which would carry the moratorium into mid-February 2027, providing ample time to develop comprehensive policy.