Citrus County Planning Commission Recommends Denying Data Center Rezoning Application
Citrus County's Planning and Development Commission unanimously recommended denying a major rezoning application for an 800-acre industrial park expansion, which includes a proposed data center. This decision follows strong public opposition concerning water and power usage, noise, and rural land loss. The applicant, Deltona Corporation, is now requesting the county commission to table its review until November.
The Citrus County Planning and Development Commission (PDC) unanimously voted to recommend denying a significant rezoning application associated with the expansion of the Holder Industrial Park. The proposal, backed by Deltona Corporation and represented by attorney Clark Stillwell, sought to rezone nearly 800 acres of agricultural and low-density residential land near County Road 491 and Tram Road for heavy industrial use, with the intention of developing a data center.
The decision by the PDC came after a packed public hearing where numerous residents voiced strong opposition, citing concerns over water consumption, electricity demand, traffic, noise, and the loss of the county's rural character. PDC members also expressed frustration over the lack of detailed information in the application, including the absence of a confirmed end-user and comprehensive plans for utilities and environmental impact. The board concluded that the project, as presented, did not meet county development standards or align with the comprehensive plan.
This recommendation now advances to the Citrus County Commission, though the applicant has requested to table that board's review until its November meeting. The county is concurrently developing a new ordinance for data center regulations and recently enacted a 12-month moratorium on new data center applications to allow staff time to study various impacts, including environmental, water, and electrical demands.