Wakulla County bans data centers, commissioners vote unanimously to prohibit facilities
Wakulla County commissioners have unanimously approved an ordinance explicitly prohibiting data centers in the county's unincorporated areas. This action clarifies existing zoning rules, which already effectively barred data centers, by formally adding a definition and designating them as a prohibited use in the land development code. The decision establishes a definitive stance against large-scale data center development in Wakulla County.
The Wakulla County Commission has unanimously voted to approve an ordinance that explicitly prohibits data centers throughout the county's unincorporated areas. This decision formalizes what was already an effective ban under existing zoning regulations, which did not list data centers as either permitted or conditional uses in any zoning district and lacked a catchall provision for similar uses.
The new ordinance amends the county's land development code by adding a specific definition for data centers and creating a new section that identifies them as a prohibited use. This action aims to remove any ambiguity regarding data center development within Wakulla County.
The county's approach contrasts with that of neighboring Leon County, where commissioners are reportedly considering an 18-month moratorium to allow time for developing regulations concerning large-scale data centers. Wakulla County opted for a direct prohibition without significant debate or opposition from its board, firming up its position in a regional discussion on the economic benefits versus infrastructure and community impacts of data centers.