Board to host hearing on temporary data center pause
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners will hold the first of two required hearings to discuss implementing a countywide moratorium on large-scale data center development. The proposed ordinance aims to allow local leaders time to establish specific policies and development standards for data centers, which are currently lacking in the county's comprehensive plan. If approved, the moratorium would halt new applications for data centers starting September 8 and expire by August 30, 2027, at the earliest.
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners is set to hold the first of two required ordinance hearings to consider a countywide moratorium on data center development. The proposed measure is in response to the county's current lack of specific policies and objective development standards addressing the siting, compatibility, infrastructure requirements, utility demands, water use, cooling technologies, and electrical infrastructure associated with large-scale data centers. The board believes a temporary pause is necessary to evaluate the implementation of such facilities.
According to the proposed ordinance, the county would cease to accept, process, review, or approve any new large-scale data center development applications as of September 8. However, applications completed before this date would not be affected. Zach Baker, the county's development services executive director, confirmed that no applications had been submitted or approved as of the time of the article.
If the ordinance receives approval on both readings, the moratorium would remain in effect until at least August 30, 2027. This action falls under the state Constitution and Section 125.01 of state statutes, which grant counties home rule authority to regulate land development.