New North Port Data Center Filings Detail Water Use, Wetland Impacts and More
New application documents for the proposed Deep Park data center in North Port, Florida, detail estimated water use and wetland impacts, while omitting specifics on cooling technology and electrical load. These details come as the North Port City Commission considers an 18-month moratorium on data center development, with a final vote scheduled for September 22. Residents have expressed concerns about the project's demands on local electricity and water resources.
New filings for the Deep Park data center project in North Port, Florida, have revealed additional details regarding its potential environmental and resource impacts. Submitted by North Port Holdings 300 LLC, the revised application outlines plans for seven data center buildings on approximately 112 acres, proposing an average potable-water demand of 15,500 gallons per day and suggesting the loss of about 4.14 acres of wetlands, to be offset by purchasing mitigation credits. However, the documents still lack clear identification of the cooling technology or definitive electrical load, key concerns for local residents.
The North Port City Commission recently held an informational workshop where representatives from Florida Power & Light (FPL), the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, and the Florida Digital Infrastructure and Security Alliance presented. FPL detailed its framework for large-load customers, designed to prevent cost burdens on existing ratepayers, while the water authority highlighted a regional extreme water-shortage order extended through October 1. City staff noted that environmental regulatory agencies invited to the workshop did not attend.
Simultaneously, the City Commission is moving forward with a proposed 18-month moratorium on new data center developments. This moratorium, which advanced on its first reading, is scheduled for a second and final vote on September 22. If enacted, the moratorium would allow the Deep Park application to continue through technical review but would prevent final project approval while it remains in effect. The city has not yet determined if the revised application contains sufficient information for a full technical review.