Venice council advances data center moratorium

The Venice City Council advanced a proposed 12-month pause on data center development by unanimously approving its first reading. The moratorium still requires a second reading and final vote, scheduled for Oct. 27.

If enacted, Venice would join Sarasota and Manatee counties and North Port in pausing data center discussions. Mayor Nick Pachota said the proposal has generated limited public response because Venice has less available land for data center development than neighboring areas.