Manatee County passes moratorium on data centers
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium halting new data center-related applications in unincorporated areas. The pause will allow county staff to study electricity and water consumption, pollution, noise, siting, design and other regulatory issues before updating local planning rules.
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners approved a 12-month moratorium on new data center and large-load facility applications in unincorporated Manatee County. The temporary ban covers building permits, site plans, development orders, special-use permits, rezonings and comprehensive plan amendments, and will remain in effect unless repealed or extended.
County staff will use the moratorium to evaluate data centers' electricity and water demands, air and noise pollution, environmental impacts, compatibility with neighboring properties, setbacks, buffering, design standards and fees. The vote was delayed two days amid public criticism over an alleged Sunshine Law violation after an earlier meeting lacked a quorum; activist Andra Griffin said she intended to report the matter to the state attorney's office. The moratorium follows a July vote directing staff to draft the measure and a recommendation from county planner Jay Stearman for additional review.