Florida's local governments grapple with data center development
Lakeland, Florida, is considering a 12-month moratorium on hyperscale data centers, with public hearings scheduled and a vote expected. This follows Nassau County's recent approval of a similar moratorium. Local governments in Florida are now grappling with how to regulate data center development after a new state law (SB 484) gave them greater authority in this area.
Florida's local governments are now tasked with regulating data center development following the enactment of Senate Bill 484, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. While the state law established utility customer protections, public disclosure requirements, and environmental standards, it explicitly left zoning and land use decisions to local authorities. This has prompted cities like Lakeland to consider new regulations as they face proposals for large-scale data center projects.
The Lakeland City Commission recently discussed a proposed 12-month moratorium on hyperscale data centers, with public hearings scheduled for July 6 and 20, leading to an anticipated vote at the second meeting. This move mirrors a decision by Nassau County earlier this month, which approved a similar 12-month moratorium to allow time to amend its Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.
Lakeland Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley highlighted the lack of state-level codes or frameworks for data centers, underscoring the challenge local governments face in developing appropriate regulations. The discussions in Lakeland are in response to a proposal for a 600,000 square foot data center on 60 acres in Polk County.