Commission seeks legal package to study one-year moratorium on AI/data centers

At the June 16 meeting Commissioner Taylor proposed a one-year moratorium on AI and large data-center construction to give the county time to study infrastructure, water and electrical impacts and regional planning implications.

Taylor said neighboring counties have taken defensive steps and that a pause would allow St. Johns County to examine environmental and grid impacts before applications arrive. "I would like to make a motion that we enact a moratorium on AI data centers good for the next year," she said.

Commissioners and staff discussed existing state legislation that may constrain local moratoria and the legal complexity of drafting enforceable restrictions. County legal counsel advised that because the item was not noticed on the agenda and that state law language may prohibit broad construction moratoria, the board should direct the county attorney to draft a legally defensible moratorium package for public hearing rather than enact a moratorium immediately.

By consensus the board asked legal staff to prepare an ordinance package and public-notice schedule so the commission can consider a properly noticed moratorium at a future hearing. County staff also said it would research regional work already done by neighboring counties and the Northeast Florida Regional Council to inform any proposed language.