Broward County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to begin the process of imposing a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers in the county’s unincorporated areas. Commissioners cited concerns about effects on residential neighborhoods, the water supply and electricity costs.
The county attorney was directed to draft an ordinance for the temporary ban. It would apply only to unincorporated land, much of which lies in the Everglades. The county cannot regulate development decisions made by individual cities.
Commissioner Lamar Fisher proposed the moratorium. He said the county needs to protect neighborhoods from the possible effects of large data centers, which he said use large amounts of electricity and water. Commissioner Beam Furr said the Everglades portion of the county is the most vulnerable.
Vice Mayor Robert McKinzie, whose district could be affected, said he has reservations about data centers. He warned against discouraging smaller technology companies that want to invest in local communities.
The moratorium is not yet in effect. The ordinance must be written and brought back before commissioners for a final vote. Fisher hopes that happens next month, though it could slip to December.
Palm Beach County has already approved a one-year ban that runs through September 2027. A state law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May keeps local governments’ authority to regulate data center construction.
