Citrus County looks to place moratorium on data center applications

Citrus County Commissioners in Florida have unanimously voted to consider implementing a temporary moratorium, potentially lasting up to 12 months, on new data center applications. The decision aims to provide the county ample time to develop and integrate specific data center regulations into its Land Development Code. This proposed moratorium will not, however, impact a rezoning application submitted by Deltona Corp. for a 550-acre parcel in Holder, which seeks to reclassify the land to a heavy industrial category to include data centers. The application predates the county's initiative to develop new standards. The project has already drawn considerable public backlash, with over a dozen residents, many wearing "no data center" T-shirts, urging commissioners to either impose a full ban or a lengthy moratorium. Their protests led the Planning and Development Commission (PDC) to table the application in March, narrowly avoiding an outright denial. The rezoning matter is scheduled to return to the PDC on May 21 before heading to the County Commission for a final vote. County Attorney Denise Dymond Lyn advised commissioners that while an outright ban on data centers is not legally feasible, imposing robust restrictions through new regulations is. Commissioner Jeff Kinnard emphasized the need for the strongest possible regulations, acknowledging ongoing public pushback. The moratorium itself is expected to return to the Board as a formal ordinance at its May 26 meeting, while the development of broader data center standards within the Land Development Code continues.