City Releases Proposed Data Center Moratorium Ordinance
The City of Lakeland, Florida, has released a proposed ordinance for a 12-month temporary moratorium on data centers and large load electric customers. This moratorium would halt the acceptance and approval of new data center applications, allowing city staff time to review and prepare amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. A public hearing is scheduled for July 6.
Lakeland, Florida, city staff have introduced a proposed ordinance establishing a temporary 12-month moratorium on data centers and large electricity consumers utilizing over 50 megawatts monthly. The ordinance aims to pause development by prohibiting the acceptance, processing, and approval of applications for data centers.
This temporary halt is intended to preserve the status quo while the city evaluates appropriate land use classifications, development standards, infrastructure requirements, and utility impacts. It also directs city staff to prepare amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Code, and other relevant regulations.
The business impact estimate accompanying the ordinance clarifies that it does not affect existing businesses or incidental IT infrastructure like ordinary server rooms. Given that data centers are not currently permitted in Lakeland and the city has no large load customers, the impact on existing businesses is expected to be minimal.
A public hearing on the proposed ordinance is scheduled for Monday, July 6, at 9 a.m. at City Hall.