Manatee County staff delivers ordinance on data center moratorium
Manatee County staff has delivered an ordinance for a 12-month moratorium on data centers in unincorporated Manatee County, effective from September 22. This action follows the passage of Florida Senate Bill 484, which grants local governments more authority to regulate data center developments. The moratorium aims to allow staff time to address gaps in the county's regulations regarding large-load customers like data centers, particularly concerning water and electrical demands.
The Manatee County Planning Commission received an ordinance imposing a 12-month moratorium on data centers within unincorporated Manatee County, set to begin on September 22. The ordinance will temporarily halt applications for building permits, site plans, rezones, and comprehensive plan amendments from facilities with substantial utility demands.
Commissioners directed staff to draft this ordinance after the passage of Florida Senate Bill 484 on July 1, which empowers local governments to set stricter standards and deny data center projects. According to Commissioner Amanda Ballard, the moratorium will provide staff with time to identify and address deficiencies in the county's current land development code and comprehensive plan regarding large-load customers.
County planner Jay Stearman highlighted that large-scale data centers require significant water and electrical resources, often comparable to small municipalities, while offering limited long-term employment. Concerns were also raised about low-frequency noise emissions.
During the moratorium, staff will propose code updates to define data center uses, establish compatibility considerations, and set standards for water and electricity consumption, noise abatement, environmental impacts, design, appropriate zoning districts, and fee structures. Gov. Ron DeSantis had previously commented on SB 484 in a May 7 press release, stating it protects citizens from hyperscale data centers, prevents cost burdens on consumers, and safeguards Florida's water resources.