Escambia County board adopts resolution opposing data centers, schedules ordinance hearing for Aug. 6
July 24, 2026 | Escambia County, Florida
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The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on July 6 to adopt a resolution stating that data‑center facilities are not permitted uses in the county's land development code and to schedule an ordinance hearing for Aug. 6 to consider more detailed regulatory language.
Supporters of stronger action told the board they want protections for drinking water, noise limits and binding land‑use language, not only broad statements. "AI data centers are a threat to the health and wellness of our community members, businesses, visitors, and environment," said Christy Rosen of If Not Us, one of several speakers who urged the board to add explicit LDC prohibitions. Francesca DeBryan, a candidate for the state House, told commissioners: "Please do not use litigation as a possibility as an excuse." (Francesca DeBryan).
County Attorney Allison (county attorney) repeatedly advised the board to use the public hearing to vet detailed ordinance language and avoid procedural risk: "My recommendation to you is to take care of all these matters at the advertised public hearing," she said. The board followed that advice in part by voting tonight to place the draft ordinance on the Aug. 6 agenda and asking staff to prepare options for more stringent land‑development language.
Board members said they wished to be clear that ordinary, accessory server rooms at hospitals or universities were not the target of the action. "Existing institutional server rooms and campus IT are not the same as hyperscale or commercial AI facilities," a commissioner said during debate. The resolution and the scheduled ordinance both apply to unincorporated Escambia County; commissioners noted city rules remain separate.
What happens next: staff will post the draft ordinance and supporting materials and hold the transmittal public hearing on Aug. 6. The board will take public testimony, may direct edits, and then decide whether to transmit the ordinance to state review or remand elements back to the planning board for additional study.
Provenance: topicintro: SEG 5670, topfinish: SEG 7136.
Supporters of stronger action told the board they want protections for drinking water, noise limits and binding land‑use language, not only broad statements. "AI data centers are a threat to the health and wellness of our community members, businesses, visitors, and environment," said Christy Rosen of If Not Us, one of several speakers who urged the board to add explicit LDC prohibitions. Francesca DeBryan, a candidate for the state House, told commissioners: "Please do not use litigation as a possibility as an excuse." (Francesca DeBryan).
County Attorney Allison (county attorney) repeatedly advised the board to use the public hearing to vet detailed ordinance language and avoid procedural risk: "My recommendation to you is to take care of all these matters at the advertised public hearing," she said. The board followed that advice in part by voting tonight to place the draft ordinance on the Aug. 6 agenda and asking staff to prepare options for more stringent land‑development language.
Board members said they wished to be clear that ordinary, accessory server rooms at hospitals or universities were not the target of the action. "Existing institutional server rooms and campus IT are not the same as hyperscale or commercial AI facilities," a commissioner said during debate. The resolution and the scheduled ordinance both apply to unincorporated Escambia County; commissioners noted city rules remain separate.
What happens next: staff will post the draft ordinance and supporting materials and hold the transmittal public hearing on Aug. 6. The board will take public testimony, may direct edits, and then decide whether to transmit the ordinance to state review or remand elements back to the planning board for additional study.
Provenance: topicintro: SEG 5670, topfinish: SEG 7136.
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