As elections nears, Palm Coast races to create data center regulations
The Palm Coast City Council is rushing to implement stricter data center regulations, including a supermajority vote requirement and a tiered ordinance, ahead of state elections. This urgency stems from concerns about potential state-level preemption efforts on data center rules. The move follows Flagler County's recent adoption of a one-year moratorium on data centers.
The Palm Coast City Council is expediting the adoption of new, stricter regulations for data center projects, driven by concerns that impending state-level leadership changes might lead to preemption efforts. Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri voiced worries about potential state intervention that could override local control over data center development.
The proposed regulations are two-fold: the first part involves amending the city code to mandate a supermajority (4-1) vote from the City Council for approving data center projects. This amendment is part of broader land development code updates expected to be voted on this month. The second part involves developing an ordinance to establish specific parameters and definitions for data centers, including thresholds to differentiate between high- and low-impact projects based on factors like square footage, power consumption, water usage, and noise generation.
Interim Community Development Director Phong Nguyen mentioned that staff is researching other cities' regulatory approaches and highlighted Senate Bill 484, which defines "super data centers" as those consuming 50 megawatts or more. This local push for stricter rules comes after the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners enacted a one-year moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas, citing a lack of comprehensive policies to address the impacts of large-scale facilities.
At the state level, discussions around data center regulations are ongoing amidst gubernatorial elections. While Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 484 into law, his potential successors hold differing views; Republican nominee Byron Donalds supports SB 484 and opposes moratoriums, while Democrat David Jolly advocates for a statewide moratorium due to environmental and community impact concerns.