Commissioners hold first hearing on proposed data center moratorium

The Manatee County Commission held its initial public hearing on a proposed 12-month moratorium that would temporarily halt applications for new data centers and other large-load developments within unincorporated Manatee County. The proposed Ordinance 26-42, if approved, would prevent the county from accepting various development-related applications, including building permits, site plans, and rezonings, for facilities such as data centers.

The primary purpose of the moratorium is to provide county staff with sufficient time to study the integration of these facilities into the county's land development regulations and Comprehensive Plan. Key areas of examination include appropriate locations for data centers, their compatibility with surrounding properties, noise and buffering requirements, environmental impacts, and significant electricity and water demands. Commissioners initiated the moratorium's preparation in July following new state legislation, Senate Bill 484, which affirmed local governments' authority over land use for large-load customers.

The county’s Planning Commission previously reviewed the ordinance on September 17, voting 6-0 to recommend its approval to the county commission. The proposed moratorium is set to last for 12 months or until the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) repeals it, with provisions for extension if legally permitted. The measure is not intended as a permanent ban but rather a temporary pause to develop comprehensive regulations for future data center construction.