Flagler moves ahead with data center moratorium amid calls for clarity
Flagler County, Florida, is moving forward with a proposed one-year moratorium on new data center projects in unincorporated areas. The County Commissioners unanimously approved the first reading of the ordinance due to concerns over infrastructure capacity, environmental impacts, and resource demands. A final decision is expected on August 3.
The Flagler Board of County Commissioners in Florida has unanimously approved the first reading of a one-year moratorium on data center projects in unincorporated areas of the county. The proposed ordinance highlights the county's current lack of specific comprehensive plan policies and land development regulations to address the siting, compatibility, and impacts of large-scale data centers.
Officials expressed concerns about the significant and continuous demands these facilities place on electrical supply, water, cooling, wastewater, stormwater infrastructure, and emergency services. The temporary moratorium is intended to provide county staff with time to study these issues, gather public input, and prepare necessary amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.
County Attorney Michael Rodriguez noted that data center projects often target rural areas for large tracts of land. Commissioner Andy Dance emphasized that the measure is about "planning before permitting" and allowing for an educational period with public hearings and expert input to clarify local government and resident concerns. The BOCC is scheduled to make its final decision on the proposed ordinance at its next meeting on August 3.