As debate rages, St. Johns County Board weighs yearlong data center pause to study impacts
St. Johns County commissioners are considering a roughly yearlong moratorium on medium and large data center proposals while officials study their effects on water, electricity, infrastructure and surrounding neighborhoods. A public hearing on the proposed ordinance is scheduled for Oct. 20, and the pause would expire Oct. 31, 2027, unless permanent regulations are adopted or the measure is repealed.
The St. Johns County Board of Commissioners is weighing an ordinance that would temporarily prevent the county from accepting, reviewing or approving applications for medium and large data centers. The proposed pause follows commissioners’ Sept. 1 direction to county attorneys to draft a moratorium, amid concerns that the county’s land development code does not adequately address data center siting or utility demands.
During the proposed moratorium, county staff would study electricity and water needs, wastewater, backup generators, fuel storage, noise, lighting, setbacks, transportation, emergency management and decommissioning. Officials would coordinate with electric utilities and the St. Johns River Water Management District and conduct community outreach before recommending permanent rules. A public hearing is set for Oct. 20, and the ordinance would expire Oct. 31, 2027, with exemptions for certain complete applications, existing facilities and routine work.