Manatee County moves toward data center moratorium
Manatee County Commissioners have unanimously voted to direct staff to draft a temporary moratorium on data center applications. The move comes amid concerns about the facilities' substantial demands on electricity and water resources, especially during a drought, and the county's lack of adequate land development code to address such uses. The draft ordinance is expected to be presented to the Planning Commission in September.
Manatee County Commissioners unanimously voted to direct staff to draft an ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on data center applications. The decision, made at the board's July 28 meeting, was initiated by Commissioners Bob McCann, Amanda Ballard, and Chair Tal Siddique.
Concerns driving the proposed moratorium include the substantial electrical and water demands of data centers, especially given the county's current drought conditions. Commissioner Ballard noted that large-scale data centers could strain regional water and electrical infrastructure, risking the county's resources and undermining economic development. Commissioner McCann specifically highlighted the potential for hyperscale data centers to require millions of gallons of water daily, possibly degrading aquifers and altering water salinity. Chair Siddique pointed out that the county's comprehensive plan and land development code do not adequately address data centers, posing a risk of applicant-driven code updates.
While Manatee County officials are not aware of any active data center applications, a data center component of the Bradenton Crossings project, submitted in October 2025 for a 35.28-acre site in Bradenton, was withdrawn on July 16. The proposed moratorium, intended to be temporary, will have its duration determined by staff, with Siddique suggesting a 12-month period.
The draft ordinance is tentatively scheduled for presentation to the Manatee County Planning Commission in September, followed by two board hearings on September 22 and October 6 for adoption. This action follows similar moratoriums recently imposed by nearby Sarasota County and Pasco County.