Lakeland City Commission Holds First Reading on Data Center Moratorium
The City of Lakeland, Florida, has taken the first step towards approving a 12-month moratorium on large-scale data center developments. This pause aims to allow the city to establish regulations addressing potential adverse impacts on the city's water supply, infrastructure, and electric grid. A final vote on the ordinance is expected in August.
The City of Lakeland, Florida, advanced a proposed 12-month moratorium on large-scale data center developments with its first ordinance reading at a recent City Commission meeting. Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley confirmed the discussion of the "hot topic," which was prompted by a proposal known as Project Swan, detailing a 600,000-square-foot data center near Old Tampa Highway.
Commissioners seek this temporary pause to develop comprehensive regulations addressing potential adverse impacts on the city's water supply, infrastructure, and crucial electric grid. Lakeland Electric, the city-owned utility, expressed support for the moratorium through representative Scott Bishop, who emphasized the importance of "reliability and affordability" for customers against large electricity loads. Commissioner Ashley Troutman suggested broadening the ordinance to include all "large utility demand facilities" beyond just data centers.
While no formal action was taken at the first reading, the community actively participated in public comments, sharing both concerns and support for the measure. The final reading and an anticipated vote on the moratorium ordinance are scheduled for the City Commission meeting in August.