Baldwin County Commission approves 180-day moratorium on rezoning, data centers and renewable energy projects
The Baldwin County Commission unanimously approved a 180-day moratorium on rezoning requests and new data center and renewable energy projects in county-zoned areas. Officials said the pause will allow the county to develop planning tools and prepare for growth, amid opposition to a large Silicon Ranch solar project near Stockton.
The Baldwin County Commission in Alabama approved a countywide 180-day moratorium on rezoning requests and new data center and renewable energy projects in county-zoned areas. District 1 Commissioner Jeb Ball said county staff needed time to address a backlog of rezoning cases, hire a planning director and update the Baldwin County Master Plan and Future Land Use Map.
The moratorium follows strong community opposition to Silicon Ranch’s proposed 4,500-acre solar development near Stockton, where residents raised concerns about wetlands, stormwater runoff and limited county oversight. Commissioner Billie Jo Underwood said the pause is intended to help officials establish a framework for future development rather than stop growth, and noted that no data center proposals had been brought to the commission to her knowledge.