Flagler County Echoes Surging Backlash Against Data Centers with One-Year Construction Ban
Flagler County has enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center construction to allow time for the development of specific zoning regulations. This decision is part of a growing regional and national backlash against data centers, driven by concerns over their energy and water consumption and potential noise pollution. The county aims to draft comprehensive rules for data center development during this pause.
The Flagler County Commission recently enacted a one-year moratorium on data center construction, making it Northeast Florida's second county to do so after Nassau County implemented a similar ban in mid-June. Spearheaded by County Commissioner Andy Dance, the moratorium aims to provide the county with time to draft specific land use regulations for data centers, as existing rules do not adequately address these facilities.
Commissioner Dance emphasized that the moratorium's purpose is to temporarily pause all new data centers, regardless of size, to allow for the research and drafting of a regulatory ordinance. This ordinance will define different types of data centers, determine permissible locations, and outline what is not allowed. The decision reflects a broader national opposition to data centers, driven by concerns over their colossal energy and water consumption, potential strain on utility grids, and noise pollution.
The article also references a data center project in Palm Coast involving DC Blox, which plans to build a cable-landing station projected to use up to 10 megawatts of electricity. Palm Coast had previously amended its zoning to allow data centers by right, but is now revising its Land Development Code to require specific regulatory steps. Additionally, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 484 into law, regulating larger data centers (50 MW or more) and empowering local governments to establish their own regulations, underscoring a statewide effort to manage data center growth.