Lakeland moves forward with drafting 12-month moratorium on large-scale data centers
Lakeland, Florida city officials have approved drafting a 12-month moratorium on large-scale data centers. This decision follows significant community opposition to a proposed 500,000-square-foot facility known as Project Swan, and aims to allow time for research into potential impacts on water, electricity, traffic, noise, and the environment. The initial ordinance proposal is scheduled for a hearing on July 6, with a public hearing on July 20.
Lakeland, Florida city leaders have voted to move forward with drafting a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers, following strong community pushback against a proposed 500,000-square-foot facility dubbed "Project Swan." The proposed development, located near Old Tampa Highway and Wilkinson Road, sparked intense neighborhood opposition, leading to the city staff receiving approval on Friday to draft an ordinance for a 12-month temporary pause.
City Commissioner Guy LaLonde Jr. stated that the pause is intended to provide necessary time for research into crucial community concerns, including water demands, electrical grid strain, traffic congestion, noise pollution, and broader environmental effects. Lakeland resident Ashton Sharrett initiated a Change.org petition advocating for the moratorium, asserting that the pause allows the community to dictate development terms rather than reacting to rapid sales pitches from developers.
Sharrett emphasized that the moratorium would foster greater transparency and allow officials to thoroughly investigate proposals, particularly given that the developer behind Project Swan remains unknown. The local government has not yet received any additional formal requests for new large-scale data facilities. The initial ordinance proposal is set for a first hearing on July 6, with a subsequent public hearing scheduled for July 20.