Martin County freezes new data-center applications for a year
Martin County Utilities, Florida · Meeting date: October 27, 2026 · Published: October 28, 2026
Commissioners approved a 365-day moratorium on large-scale data-center applications in unincorporated Martin County after extensive public concern over water demand and environmental impacts. A proposed four-building, 959,000ft2 facility on an 84-acre industrial site remains subject to review under current rules.
Key points
- The board adopted the moratorium 4-0, with Commissioner Stacey Hetherington abstaining after filing a Form 8-B disclosure relating to her employment with an infrastructure energy company.
- The ordinance suspends submission and acceptance of applications for large-scale data centers for 365 days while staff evaluates 26 listed issues and develops regulations.
- The moratorium excludes applications submitted and deemed sufficient before its effective date, including a proposed 959,000ft2, four-building data center in the South Florida Gateway Industrial Park.
- County staff said the pending project occupies an 84-acre platted industrial subdivision and would be reviewed administratively under current targeted-industry and planned-unit-development provisions.
- Commissioners called for public engagement across the county during the evaluation period, including daytime and evening meetings.
Full report
Martin County commissioners have adopted a one-year halt on new large-scale data-center applications, opening a planning period intended to develop standards for a potentially water- and energy-intensive land use that county officials said is not adequately addressed in existing regulations.
The Board of County Commissioners approved the ordinance 4-0 on 27 October, with Commissioner Stacey Hetherington abstaining. Hetherington said she had filed a Form 8-B and would not participate because she is employed by an infrastructure energy company that constructs and develops energy infrastructure nationally and locally.
The moratorium applies in unincorporated Martin County and runs for 365 calendar days from implementation. County Attorney Elysse Elder said its first five pages establish legislative findings based on recent changes in Florida law, including Senate Bill 484, and conclude that the county needs time to investigate and revise its land-development regulations.
The ordinance identifies 26 areas for evaluation, with staff required to return periodically to the board with progress updates and to receive feedback. County Administrator Don Donaldson said staff would later bring forward a budget for the evaluation and public-input process.
Water supply, water quality, wetlands and stormwater were central themes in public comment. Residents, environmental advocates and others urged the board to pause applications while the county assesses potential impacts. Friends of the Everglades policy director Casey Darling-Niffen cited the South Florida Water Management District's regional water-supply planning, saying saltwater intrusion, flooding and drought events are expected over the next 30 years. Vote Water representative Gil Smart called the pause a prudent response to questions around water supply and water quality, energy use and wildlife habitat.
The board also clarified that one proposal is outside the new ordinance because it was submitted and deemed sufficient before the moratorium took effect. Deputy Growth Management Director Peter Walden said the application is for a 959,000ft2 data center in four buildings on an 84-acre platted industrial subdivision in the South Florida Gateway Industrial Park. County Attorney Elder said she understood the proposal to be about 100MW to 130MW, although she had not reviewed the application herself.
Under the current code, data centers are classed as targeted businesses. Because the proposal is within a platted industrial park and a planned-unit development, Walden said it is subject to administrative review rather than board approval. He said staff would apply comprehensive-plan and land-development criteria concerning nearby residential areas and environmental issues, and that the review would likely take a year or more. The applicant had been told the county would not follow the normal 15-calendar-day expedited first review because the use is new to staff.
Commissioner Edward Ciampi said the filing did not amount to approval and that it would receive strict scrutiny. Commissioner Eileen Vargas said she would support a permanent ban if possible, while Elder said staff could examine that option during the interim planning period and return earlier than one year if its work is completed.
Commissioner Ciampi requested public sessions at both daytime and evening times, and in locations including Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach and Palm City, to broaden participation in the rulemaking process.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: Board of County Commissioners, Martin County Utilities