Indiantown council approves Tesoro Groves PUD after debate over data center concerns

The Indiantown Village Council in Florida unanimously approved a rezoning agreement for the 5,722-acre Tesoro Groves Planned Unit Development (PUD) at its April 30 meeting, despite significant public opposition and debate over potential data center construction. The land, owned by Florida Power & Light (FPL) and previously zoned for agriculture by Martin County, received a village zoning classification as part of the PUD and master site plan. While FPL representatives, including environmental attorney Bob Raynes, emphasized that the vote was solely on rezoning and not for a specific data center project, residents voiced strong concerns that the PUD could facilitate future data center development. Community Development Director Deanna Freeman stated the PUD provides Indiantown with greater oversight, safeguards, and development standards compared to traditional zoning. Planner Brian Nolan noted it limits development to 2 million square feet of light industrial uses. However, residents like Daisy Sullivan urged the council to include language explicitly prohibiting data centers, citing the community's clear stance against them, especially after a separate 2 million-square-foot data facility proposal from Silver Fox 606 recently withdrew due to widespread opposition. Council Member Karen Onsager proposed requiring substantial financial contributions toward water infrastructure from any non-utility data center developed on the site, to help the village's water plant come online. Conversely, Ted Astolfi, CEO of the Economic Council of Martin County, supported the PUD, arguing it would diversify the tax base and provide safeguards for residents while promoting economic development. Ultimately, the council approved the PUD without including a ban on future data centers, with Onsager urging the community to move past the "hysteria" and focus on other vital community issues.