Area plan commission backs one-year moratorium on new data centers

The Boone County Area Plan Commission voted on June 3 to recommend a one-year moratorium on development of new data-center facilities, sending the recommendation to the county commissioners for final action.

Staff said the moratorium would pause approvals for new data centers for one year so the APC could study zoning, siting and regulatory controls. "As I understand it, the moratorium is proposed for a year to allow the APC to review and think about how they want to control zoning requirements for any new proposed data centers," a commissioner summarized during the hearing.

Several members of the public spoke in support. Jody Stewart said she supported the moratorium and that residents should have a voice in regulating commerce affecting their well-being. Cindy Holmes urged the commission to consider an outright ban rather than a one-year pause, saying existing facilities have harmed rural character and that residents had not been adequately informed. Another speaker asked the APC to craft the moratorium to lead to a ban if warranted.

A motion to send a favorable recommendation on the one-year moratorium to the commissioners was moved and seconded and passed on a voice vote; the APC will draft the formal recommendation and forward it to the board of commissioners.