Ormond Beach to consider data center halt
Ormond Beach commissioners are set to take a final vote on an 18-month data center moratorium, which would temporarily halt new applications and development while the city considers permanent law changes. This follows Volusia County's recent vote to craft an outright ban on large-scale data centers in unincorporated areas and temporarily pause new applications. Both actions are influenced by state law affirming local government authority over data center regulations and concerns over the resources required for data center operations.
The Ormond Beach City Commission is preparing for a final vote on an 18-month moratorium on data center development, scheduled for August 25. The proposed moratorium, which received initial approval on July 28, would temporarily prevent the city from accepting new data center applications, issuing building permits, or approving related developments. The objective is to allow the City Commission time to develop permanent changes to the city's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code regarding data centers.
This move by Ormond Beach aligns with broader actions in the region, as the Volusia County Council recently voted 7-0 on August 17 to draft an outright ban on large-scale data centers within unincorporated parts of the county. While this proposed ban undergoes a review and public hearing process, the county has ceased accepting new applications for such facilities. The county's proposed ban is expected to have its first reading on October 6, followed by a review by the Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission on October 15, and a final reading by the County Council on October 20.
The increasing scrutiny of data centers stems from their substantial resource demands, particularly for electricity and water, as highlighted by Volusia County government. Florida Senate Bill 484, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on May 7, explicitly grants local governments the authority to regulate data centers through planning and land development codes, including the ability to impose stricter regulations and prohibit utilities from passing data center-related costs onto residential and small business customers.