Moratorium on data centers, R-1 zoning extended by BOC
The Banks County Board of Commissioners has extended its moratorium on data centers and R-1 zoning until March 9. This extension allows the county more time to develop appropriate zoning codes and standards for future data center developments and to address water supply issues related to R-1 subdivisions.
The Banks County Board of Commissioners (BOC) unanimously voted to extend its moratoriums on data centers and R-1 zoning through March 9. The decision was made at a recent meeting, where BOC chairman Taylor Griffith described the data center moratorium as "strict, strict, strict," noting it is patterned after an ordinance in Habersham County. Commissioner Chris Ausburn had previously initiated the moratorium, citing the need for the county to plan for potential future data center developments and to determine their appropriate placement within the zoning code and under what standards they would be allowed.
The extension of the R-1 subdivision moratorium is intended to provide the county with sufficient time to review and tighten existing codes for these developments, primarily due to ongoing water supply issues within Banks County. In other business, the BOC approved an engineering services agreement with Goodwyn Mills, Atlanta, pending legal review, and discussed traffic improvements at Banks Crossing.