Alachua County confirms that parcel marketed for a data center is in the unincorporated county
A parcel in unincorporated Alachua County, Florida, was marketed as a data center site but is not approved for such use and would require rezoning. Residents have expressed opposition to data center development in the area. Alachua County officials have confirmed the site's location and zoning requirements.
The Alachua Chronicle reported that a parcel previously marketed as a high-megawatt data center development site is located in unincorporated Alachua County, Florida, not within the City of Alachua limits. Alachua County Growth Management Director Jeffrey Hays confirmed the site's location and stated it is not currently approved for a data center. Any development would necessitate a Planned Development rezoning, consistent with the Comprehensive Plan policy for that Rural Employment Center.
Residents expressed significant opposition to data center development during a May 18 Alachua City Commission meeting. However, they were informed the site was outside city jurisdiction. Alachua County Commissioner Anna Prizzia inquired about the site, leading to Hays' clarification that no specific proposals related to the parcel have been submitted.
Despite the property being in the unincorporated county, its sales brochure indicated wastewater services are provided by the City of Alachua, with gas from Florida Gas and other utilities from GRU. The real estate listing's language has since been changed from "data center development site" to "industrial redevelopment opportunity" following the public outcry, though the original URL slug still references a data center.