Tallahassee commissioners reject proposed ban on AI data centers
Tallahassee city commissioners rejected a proposed ordinance to explicitly ban AI data centers. City officials clarified that existing land development codes already prevent such facilities from being built within city limits without affirmative action by the commission. A motion to define AI data centers and prohibit them failed by a 3-2 vote.
Tallahassee city commissioners recently voted against a proposed ordinance that aimed to explicitly ban artificial intelligence (AI) data centers within city limits. Commissioner Jeremy Matlow introduced the motion, seconded by Commissioner Jack Porter, arguing for a specific ban in the city's land development code.
The proposal, which initially also sought to prevent Tallahassee's public electric utility from providing power to AI data centers, shifted its focus to land use after city officials warned about potential conflicts with state utility law. The motion ultimately failed with Mayor John Dailey, Mayor Pro Tem Curtis Richardson, and Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox voting against it.
City officials clarified during the discussion that Tallahassee's existing land development code does not currently list AI data centers as an allowed use. This means that such facilities cannot be built under current zoning rules and would require affirmative action by the City Commission to permit them. Mayor Dailey expressed confidence in the existing framework, stating that the city had already addressed the issue.
Despite the rejection of the explicit ban, the practical outcome remains that AI data centers cannot be developed in Tallahassee without the City Commission first changing its rules to accommodate them. Commissioners Matlow and Porter had supported the ban, citing growing concerns about the significant electricity and infrastructure demands of AI data centers across Florida and the country.