Sarasota County moves to block large AI data centers
Sarasota County Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on accepting applications for large-scale data centers and directed staff to update county codes to prohibit such developments. Commissioners cited concerns about high water and power consumption. The decision aims to give the county time to establish new regulations.
The Sarasota County Commission unanimously voted on July 8 to implement a one-year moratorium on large-scale data center applications, directing staff to revise county codes to prohibit these developments. Commissioner Joe Neunder, who proposed the 12-month moratorium, cited concerns over the high water consumption (up to 5 million gallons per day for large centers) and significant power demands of data centers, particularly those supporting artificial intelligence applications.
Commissioner Teresa Mast noted that while no data center applications have been filed in Sarasota County, there has been one inquiry. County Attorney Josh Moye confirmed the moratorium would allow staff sufficient time to rewrite land development codes, with the earliest reconsideration by the board set for August 25. This move follows a statewide trend, with Governor Ron DeSantis having approved Senate Bill 484 in May, which mandates data centers pay for their own utility infrastructure while leaving overall regulation to local governments.
The memo presented to the commission highlighted the growth of data centers in areas like Northern Virginia and Texas. It also referenced a facility approved by Fort Meade city officials in Polk County, a decision that led residents to file a lawsuit against Bethesda-based Stonebridge, asserting violations of the Florida Smart Growth Management Act. Other Florida counties, including Nassau, Clay, Hernando, Citrus, Lake, and Palm Beach, have also implemented similar moratoriums. In Palm Beach County, commissioners approved a moratorium on July 7, though it will not impact Project Tango, a 1-million-square-foot hyperscale data center proposed by PBA Holdings.
Additionally, officials in DeSoto County are reconsidering a project by DCIP Group to convert a decommissioned power plant into gas-powered data centers. The DeSoto County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended on July 7 a two-year moratorium on AI data centers and the removal of an exemption for DCIP Group's pending 800-acre expansion plans.