Walker County approves temporary moratorium on data centers
The Walker County Board of Commissioners approved a temporary 30-day moratorium on data center applications, with plans to extend it for an additional 180 days. This period will allow the county to review and amend its zoning code to address data center specific issues such as noise, water, and electricity demand.
The Walker County Board of Commissioners has enacted a temporary 30-day moratorium on new data center applications. The decision was made during their July monthly meeting. The county plans to extend this moratorium for an additional 180 days, which will include holding a public hearing on August 6th to discuss data centers.
This extended period is intended to give the county attorney and staff sufficient time to review and propose amendments to the existing zoning code. The proposed changes aim to better regulate data centers, covering aspects such as allowable zoning districts, setbacks, buffers, noise, lighting, and environmental impacts, including water and electricity demand. Any amendments to the zoning code will require public hearings before both the Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners before they can be officially enacted, with proposed amendments anticipated early next year.