Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved a one-year freeze on all new data center development applications in unincorporated areas, a move that covers the eastern corridor around Lakewood Ranch.

The board adopted Ordinance 26-42 on Oct. 8 after a second and final public hearing, according to a county press release. The moratorium halts new applications for building permits, site plans, development orders, rezonings and comprehensive plan amendments tied to data centers and other large-load facilities.

No data center projects are currently planned in Manatee County, according to commissioners, as MySuncoast reported. The pause is preventive.

Why the freeze

Manatee County's existing Land Development Code does not define data centers as a specific land use, the county said. During the 12 months, staff will evaluate potential rules covering water and electricity demand, noise impacts on neighboring properties, appropriate locations and zoning districts, setbacks and buffers, and design standards.

County planner Jay Stearman told commissioners in September that large-scale data centers can require water and electrical resources comparable to small municipalities, according to Your Observer. Stearman also said data centers generally do not support many long-term jobs once operational and often produce low-frequency noise affecting surrounding properties.

District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard said in the county press release that the moratorium gives staff time to fill gaps in existing regulations. She said data centers can have significant infrastructure needs and the county wants to understand those impacts before deciding where and whether the facilities fit.

Commissioner Jason Bearden went further at the Oct. 8 meeting, questioning whether the county should allow data centers at all, as WUSF reported.

"I just think Manatee County is very sensitive on their water, and I don't know if this is the best place," Bearden said, according to WUSF.

Commission Chair Tal Siddique said there was not enough information yet to decide whether data centers should be allowed in Manatee County. He said the moratorium gives staff time to bring options back to the board.

Quorum controversy

The Oct. 8 vote was delayed two days after the commission failed to reach a quorum on Oct. 6, as first reported by Florida Politics. Commissioners Amanda Ballard and Mike Rahn were absent. Commissioner Bob McCann attended by phone, and Commissioners Bearden, Siddique and George Kruse were physically present, according to Tampa Bay Beacons.

The delay drew sharp public criticism. Resident Traci Lipton told commissioners during public comment, "Shame on the commissioners that didn't show up today for business that is extremely important to the county because they are up for election and don't want to have this on paper," Tampa Bay Beacons reported. A resident called the lack of quorum a "planned coup" and said she intended to report alleged Sunshine Law violations to the state attorney's office, according to Tampa Bay Beacons. Commissioner Kruse rejected the accusation. "This would be the world's worst coup," Kruse said, according to Florida Politics.

No explanation from Ballard or Rahn for their Oct. 6 absence appears in the available record.

State law and broader trend

The moratorium follows a state law, Chapter 2026-65, that took effect July 1. That law preserves local governments' authority over comprehensive planning and land-development regulations for data centers and other large-load customers, the county said. Under state law, a large-scale data center is defined as a facility with an anticipated monthly peak electrical load of at least 50 megawatts.

Manatee County joins a growing list of Florida counties that have adopted similar moratoriums, including neighboring Sarasota County, as well as Pasco, Citrus, Hernando and DeSoto counties, according to WMNF.

The moratorium will remain in place for 12 months or until repealed, whichever comes first. Commissioners may extend it if they determine more time is needed.