As data centers spread across Florida, Lake County says ‘not so fast’

As data-center development accelerates across Florida and the United States, Lake County officials are taking steps to keep the industry out of the county — at least for now.The Lake County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward with an ordinance establishing a one-year moratorium on new data centers, citing concerns about environmental impacts, strain on infrastructure and preserving the county’s character.Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini said the proposal emerged after discussions with longtime residents worried about the area’s future growth and identity.”It’s just not on brand for Lake County. It’s not what we need,” Sabatini said.Data centers — large facilities that house computer servers and support cloud computing, artificial intelligence and other digital services — have expanded rapidly nationwide as demand for data storage and processing grows.Sabatini argued that Lake County’s appeal lies in its rural landscapes and small-town downtown districts rather than large-scale industrial development.”I think the best way to understand Lake County is for its beautiful rural areas, and then we have these awesome small downtowns,” he said. “We don’t have a huge industrial corridor.”During Tuesday’s public hearing, residents and officials raised questions about the long-term need for large data center campuses and the potential impacts they could have on local resources.”Until we understand this better and how it could affect the environment, the grid, the people who live here — we definitely take a pause on this,” one commissioner said during the meeting.The action comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation intended to prevent technology companies from shifting certain electricity and water costs associated with data centers onto residential and small-business customers.Sabatini criticized the measure, saying it does not address what he views as the primary concerns surrounding data center development.”It’s kind of a stupid bill, to be honest with you,” he said. “It plays no role in addressing the concerns that most Floridians have on data centers.”There are currently no operating data centers in Lake County, nor are there any pending applications for new facilities, according to county officials. Sabatini said the proposed moratorium would ensure any future applications are denied or delayed while county leaders study the issue.According to Sabatini, several other Florida communities have enacted similar restrictions, including Pasco, Jackson and Nassau counties.The proposed ordinance is expected to return to the Lake County Commission for a final vote in two weeks.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. —

As data-center development accelerates across Florida and the United States, Lake County officials are taking steps to keep the industry out of the county — at least for now.

The Lake County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward with an ordinance establishing a one-year moratorium on new data centers, citing concerns about environmental impacts, strain on infrastructure and preserving the county’s character.

Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini said the proposal emerged after discussions with longtime residents worried about the area’s future growth and identity.

“It’s just not on brand for Lake County. It’s not what we need,” Sabatini said.

Data centers — large facilities that house computer servers and support cloud computing, artificial intelligence and other digital services — have expanded rapidly nationwide as demand for data storage and processing grows.

Sabatini argued that Lake County’s appeal lies in its rural landscapes and small-town downtown districts rather than large-scale industrial development.

“I think the best way to understand Lake County is for its beautiful rural areas, and then we have these awesome small downtowns,” he said. “We don’t have a huge industrial corridor.”

During Tuesday’s public hearing, residents and officials raised questions about the long-term need for large data center campuses and the potential impacts they could have on local resources.

“Until we understand this better and how it could affect the environment, the grid, the people who live here — we definitely take a pause on this,” one commissioner said during the meeting.

The action comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation intended to prevent technology companies from shifting certain electricity and water costs associated with data centers onto residential and small-business customers.

Sabatini criticized the measure, saying it does not address what he views as the primary concerns surrounding data center development.

“It’s kind of a stupid bill, to be honest with you,” he said. “It plays no role in addressing the concerns that most Floridians have on data centers.”

There are currently no operating data centers in Lake County, nor are there any pending applications for new facilities, according to county officials. Sabatini said the proposed moratorium would ensure any future applications are denied or delayed while county leaders study the issue.

According to Sabatini, several other Florida communities have enacted similar restrictions, including Pasco, Jackson and Nassau counties.

The proposed ordinance is expected to return to the Lake County Commission for a final vote in two weeks.