NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – Nassau County’s Fact-Finding Committee on Data Center Development has published an initial draft report outlining possible rules for data centers, as the county continues a temporary, yearlong moratorium meant to give leaders time to study impacts and consider new regulations.
Monday’s workshop — the first of two public workshops on the draft — drew residents who urged county leaders to slow down, tighten guardrails, and in some cases, stop data centers entirely.
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Residents: “Err on the side of caution”
During public comment, residents questioned whether data centers would bring enough benefit to outweigh potential impacts.
One speaker told county leaders, “I don’t think that we should be opening our doors to data centers at all.”
Another asked officials to tighten oversight, saying: “I would ask you to err on the side of caution, a little more regulation, more protection.”
Others asked county leaders to put the issue directly to voters: “Put it to a vote for the people.”
What the draft report recommends
County documents describe data centers as facilities that support essential services — including communications, health care and government operations — but the draft also acknowledges concerns raised in public workshops, including water use, power demand, land use compatibility and long-term accountability.
Among the key recommendations in the draft report:
- Create a clear framework to classify data centers by type and scale, and spell out where each classification may be allowed under Nassau County zoning and Future Land Use rules.
- Strengthen the development review process and transparency, including coordination with other agencies and limiting nondisclosure agreements that restrict information needed for public accountability.
- Protect water resources and ensure utility and infrastructure capacity, including project-specific assessments and operational reporting on water and power use.
- Set enforceable design and mitigation standards for impacts such as lighting and sound, including measurable standards and buffers/setbacks.
- Require monitoring, compliance and decommissioning plans to address long-term operations, changing technology and closure.
- Revisit economic incentives, including a recommendation that Nassau County remove data centers as a “target industry,” making them ineligible for certain county economic development incentives.
The ban question — and the county attorney’s warning
As residents pressed for stricter rules, the conversation also turned to whether Nassau County could simply ban data centers outright.
“Tell me, convince me, convince all of us, what is the benefit to this community?” one resident said.
During the workshop, Commissioner John F. Martin asked: “Why can’t we just ban them?”
County Attorney Denise May responded that a ban could create legal exposure, saying, “My opinion that an outright ban is not only risky but goes against what the statute calls for which is for your absolute comprehensive planning.”
Commissioners discussed pursuing tougher regulations that would hold up legally — including larger setbacks.
“Maybe we overshoot all requirements but I also believe you can’t regulate it out of existence,” Commissioner A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann said.
What happens next
Nassau County officials say the draft report will continue to be refined with public input.
- Second workshop: Nov. 9
- Final report expected: Nov. 25
- Potential BOCC vote on regulations: Jan. 25, 2027
Residents can track the schedule and read the draft report through Nassau County’s data center webpage and through updates on News4JAX.com.
