Residents tell Pasco MPO to rethink data center expansion amid water and jobs concerns

Public commenters at a Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting urged county leaders and planners to pause or re-evaluate permits for large data centers, warning that the facilities strain local water and power systems while producing few permanent jobs.

"Data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity and water," Anita Stewart of Sephford Hills told the board during the MPO's public-comment period. "Adding more large-scale industrial users is not a responsible long-term strategy" for East Pasco County, she said, arguing that the facilities offer limited community benefit and risk permanent loss of open space and rural character.

Chris Shaver, another resident, raised similar environmental concerns and said repeated pollution incidents demonstrate risk to aquifers. "We are going to be taking that away," he said, warning that high energy and infrastructure demands could diminish quality of life and drive residents away.

Pastor Jen Carowak of Shady Hills Mission Chapel also spoke during the public comment period but focused on local transportation and service access, urging expansion of Shady Hills Road and noting a USF study that identified mobility gaps for people seeking services.

Meeting organizers noted that the County Planning Commission will hold a separate session at 1:30 p.m. in the same building to consider a data center moratorium. Chairman Scott Black encouraged commenters to share their concerns with the planning commission as well, saying, "I would encourage you to share your same comments with county planning commission at 1:30 here today."

Why it matters: Pasco County faces competing pressures to attract economic development while protecting limited water resources and preserving rural areas. The exchange reflects rising public scrutiny of large technology projects that require substantial utility and land footprints but often generate relatively few local jobs once built.

What happens next: Commenters were told the planning commission would discuss a proposed moratorium on data center applications at 1:30 p.m. today; residents who raised concerns were encouraged to attend that meeting to ensure their comments are part of the formal record.

No formal action on data centers was taken by the MPO board at this meeting; the board moved on to scheduled agenda items after closing public comment.