Levy County commissioners move to draft data center moratorium
Levy County commissioners directed staff to draft a 12-month moratorium on new data center applications after a workshop on development impacts and legal frameworks. The decision allows the county time to review land-use policies and develop permanent regulations, addressing resident concerns about groundwater, agriculture, and rural character.
Following a workshop on data center development and potential moratorium options, Levy County commissioners in Bronson, Florida, directed county staff to draft a 12-month moratorium on new data center applications. The June 30 workshop aimed to provide officials and the public with information to guide future policy decisions.
Presentations included an overview of data centers by University of Florida assistant professor Nathan Palardy, who discussed infrastructure demands and economic impacts. Attorney Byron Kennedy of GrayRobinson then clarified that a moratorium serves as a temporary pause for governments to review land-use policies rather than an outright ban. Kennedy highlighted that Levy County’s existing land development code lacks definitions for data centers, necessitating a zoning text amendment for any proposal, making the moratorium an additional safeguard.
During public comment, residents expressed significant concerns regarding the potential impact of large-scale data center development on groundwater, agriculture, wildlife, air quality, and the county’s rural character. All present commissioners supported the one-year pause to gather more information, consult experts, and establish comprehensive regulations. The proposed measure, affecting land-use, will first be reviewed by the Planning Commission before returning to the Board of County Commissioners for final consideration, both stages allowing for public input.