Data center activity in Florida
Florida's zoning process has turned decisively against development, with at least 54 denials outnumbering 32 approvals. Opposition has been highly effective, blocking at least 52 projects while only seven advanced despite objections, and at least 215 moratoriums have been enacted against 19 rejected. At least 110 companies remain active, showing ongoing interest. Florida is far more restrictive than neighboring Alabama and Georgia.
Florida's zoning process has turned decisively against development, with at least 54 denials outnumbering 32 approvals. Opposition has been highly effective, blocking at least 52 projects while only seven advanced despite objections, and at least 215 moratoriums have been enacted against 19 rejected. At least 110 companies remain active, showing ongoing interest. Florida is far more restrictive than neighboring Alabama and Georgia.
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The Indiantown Village Council scheduled a November 5 meeting to consider a temporary moratorium on new large-scale data center development. Three data center sites already in progress would be exempt, while litigation involving Silver Fox 606 LLC continues and a judge has blocked a planned zoning appeals hearing.
Nassau County released a preliminary 66-page report outlining how and where data centers could be developed, including a special zoning district, noise and light limits, water and power reporting, and no county tax breaks. The report does not propose a ban, and commissioners have not voted, while an existing moratorium on new data center applications remains in place and residents can comment.
The Palm Beach County Commission voted against spending $225,000 to hire a consulting firm to study the impacts of large-scale AI data centers, including noise, electricity use and water consumption. The decision follows the commission’s one-year moratorium on new large-scale data centers, while some commissioners support reconsidering the consultant proposal and others favor a resident task force.
Palm Beach County leaders have paused plans to hire a consulting firm to study potential data center impacts, including noise, power demand and water use. The county is already under a one-year moratorium on new data centers, and commissioners are expected to revisit the issue next month.
Palm Beach County commissioners approved a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers, but county zoning staff later backed a plan to nearly triple the data center space approved for a property associated with Project Tango. The request was submitted by PBA Holdings.
Palm Beach County commissioners reconsidered hiring VHB to help develop regulations for large-scale data centers after residents raised conflict-of-interest concerns about the firm's work for data center-related clients. Commissioners voted to consider additional consultants and supported reviving a community task force, while a previously approved one-year moratorium remains in effect.
A Nassau County fact-finding committee proposed allowing data centers under strict zoning, noise, environmental, infrastructure and reporting requirements while denying them county economic incentives and tax abatements. The recommendations are advisory, and county commissioners will consider them through upcoming workshops and public hearings; some residents are also urging an extension of the county’s moratorium for further study.
The Florida Public Service Commission is scheduled to vote Nov. 3 on Duke Energy Florida’s proposal related to data center service. Commission staff said the proposal does not adequately comply with Florida’s new data center law, creating an early test of the legislation.
Palm Beach County commissioners declined to hire a consulting firm for up to $225,000 to advise on future data center issues, including noise, water use and electricity demand. The commission plans to consider other consultants and a resident task force after residents voiced opposition to potential data center development.
Palm Beach County commissioners voted 4-1 against hiring an outside consultant to advise the county on data center development, citing concerns about taxpayer costs and the need for additional review. The decision follows the county’s approval of a one-year moratorium on new data centers, amid resident opposition over noise, electricity use, water consumption and community protections.
Palm Beach County commissioners voted 4-1 against hiring Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. to advise on data center impacts including noise, electricity use and water consumption. The county has enacted a one-year data center moratorium, while an earlier approval for two Project Tango buildings near Arden remains in place.
Palm Beach County commissioners reversed an initial decision to hire VHB for nearly $225,000 to help develop regulations for large data centers. After residents questioned VHB's independence because of its work for data center developers, commissioners directed staff to consider other consultants and revisit creating a resident task force.
Palm Beach County approved additional space for data center development. The available article information does not identify a specific company or project location within the county.
Palm Beach County zoning staff approved expanding Project Tango in western Palm Beach County to nearly 700,000 square feet of data center space without another vote by county commissioners. Arden residents criticized the process, while the approval includes an 850-foot buffer, sound studies, noise monitoring and closed-loop cooling requirements.
Palm Beach County commissioners rejected an expansion of Project Tango in July, but county zoning staff later approved nearly 700,000 square feet of data center space on part of the property without another commission or public vote. A separate expansion proposal remains under review.
Parallax Holdings announced plans for a $325 million data center in South Florida, but has not disclosed the facility’s exact location or construction timeline. The project is expected to create construction and permanent technical jobs, while regional officials and residents are weighing concerns about energy, water use, noise and infrastructure impacts.
Palm Beach County planning officials approved a revised site plan allowing Project Tango to expand its data center footprint to nearly 700,000 square feet at the Central Park Commerce Center near 20-Mile Bend. The approval followed months of opposition from nearby residents, while county commissioners had previously rejected a much larger 3.69-million-square-foot expansion request.
Volusia County approved a ban on data center development, creating a local moratorium on these projects. The available information does not identify a specific data center company or project affected by the action.
Volusia County has banned large data centers in unincorporated areas. The restriction applies to future data center development outside municipal boundaries.
Palm Beach County staff approved a master-plan change that will increase PBA Holdings’ permitted data center space at Project Tango from 200,000 to 698,000 square feet. The approval has angered Arden-area residents and comes despite the County Commission’s rejection of a larger expansion, approval of a one-year moratorium on new data center applications, and ongoing zoning-rule revisions.