Pinellas moves to shut the door on large data centers
Pinellas County commissioners are preparing a resolution to formally state that large, standalone data centers are not allowed in unincorporated areas under existing development code. This move comes amid resident concerns about potential data center development, similar to a recent proposal in Pinellas Park that led to a moratorium. The county chose a resolution over a moratorium, citing that standalone data centers are already prohibited by their code.
Pinellas County commissioners are moving to formally declare that large, standalone data centers are not permitted in unincorporated areas of the county, and that they do not intend to allow such facilities. On Tuesday, the commissioners authorized staff to draft a resolution to put this position in writing. This action is in response to public concern and recent events in nearby Pinellas Park.
Pinellas Park previously imposed a one-year moratorium earlier this month after a proposal by American Tower Corporation for a 17,000-square-foot data processing facility garnered local opposition regarding utility use and noise. While Pinellas County considered a similar moratorium, County Attorney Jewel White advised against it, explaining that the county's current development code already prohibits standalone data centers as a primary use. Instead, a resolution will clarify this existing stance, providing assurance to residents.
Residents, including those who emailed Commissioner Brian Scott, expressed fears that developers might circumvent regulations without a formal statement or moratorium. Scott believes a resolution would build public trust. The discussion also touched upon defining what constitutes a