OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Marion County commissioners voted Tuesday to approve a 12-month moratorium on new applications for large commercial data centers using 50 megawatts or more at maximum electric demand.
The ordinance, taken up in the planning and zoning portion of the September 15, 2026, Board of County Commissioners meeting, puts a temporary hold on accepting, reviewing, or approving rezonings, special-use permits, site plans, development permits, and building permits for large commercial data-center facilities in the unincorporated county. The freeze lasts 12 months from the effective date, or until the county adopts new land-development or comprehensive-plan rules, whichever comes first.
The board first voted 4-1 to approve a one-year freeze that applies to large commercial data centers expected to use 50 megawatts of electricity or more at peak demand. Commissioner Kathy Bryant voted no because she wanted smaller plants included in the freeze too. The board then voted 5-0 to adopt that ordinance as official county law…