‘I don’t want to see them’: Pines commissioners want to keep data centers out
Pembroke Pines commissioners are actively seeking to prevent data centers from being built within city limits. They passed an initial vote to amend the city's comprehensive plan to restrict data center uses in agricultural land and directed staff to explore broader citywide options. The action is driven by concerns over environmental impacts and demands on space and water.
Pembroke Pines commissioners are actively pursuing measures to prevent data centers from developing within city bounds, following discussions at their August 5 meeting. The commission unanimously passed an initial vote on an ordinance aimed at amending the city’s comprehensive plan to restrict permitted uses within the "agricultural land-use" category.
Vice Mayor Michael Hernandez initiated the discussion by questioning how data centers fit into existing definitions like communication facilities or public utilities, citing concerns about their potential environmental impact, substantial space requirements, and significant water demands. Assistant City Manager Michael Stamm clarified that the city's current comprehensive plan does not explicitly address data centers, but he highlighted recent state legislation, Senate Bill 484—signed by Governor Ron DeSantis—which grants local governments the authority to regulate data center zoning and land use.
Following consultation with the city attorney’s office, staff confirmed that Pembroke Pines could integrate language into its land-use document to specifically exclude data centers from these definitions. Mayor Angelo Castillo emphatically supported the initiative, stating, "I don’t want to see [data centers] in Pembroke Pines," citing unsuitable business deals and community sentiment. Commissioner Maria Rodriguez further broadened the directive, tasking the city administration with developing comprehensive, citywide strategies to limit data center development, with broader recommendations anticipated to return to the commission for a final vote, possibly in October.