PLACEMENT: Public Hearings
TITLE:
title
FIRST PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY INTERIM PLANNING PERIOD AND MORATORIUM ON THE SUBMISSION AND ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS RELATED TO LARGE-SCALE DATA CENTERS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
At the August 25, 2026 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (Board) directed staff to bring an ordinance imposing a moratorium on large-scale data centers in unincorporated Martin County. The proposed ordinance establishes a temporary interim planning period and suspends the submission and acceptance of applications related to large-scale data centers.
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DEPARTMENT: County Attorney
PREPARED BY: Name: Elysse A. Elder
Title: County Attorney
REQUESTED BY: Board of County Commissioners
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
On August 25, 2026, the Board directed the County Attorney to bring back an ordinance establishing a moratorium for large-scale data centers in unincorporated Martin County. The Board was concerned about significant impacts associated with large-scale data centers, specifically as it relates to noise, water and electrical power consumption, water disposal, compatibility and other environmental considerations. The proposed ordinance establishes a temporary interim planning period for large-scale data centers and a moratorium on the acceptance of applications relating to large-scale data centers. The proposed ordinance provides staff with the necessary time to conduct additional research and analysis of existing data and information related to large-scale data centers and propose revisions to the Martin County Comprehensive Growth Management Plan and the Land Development Regulations to properly regulate these facilities.
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