Crestview advances ordinance to ban large-load customers, including data centers, to second reading

The Crestview City Council voted on first reading to send Ordinance 2033 back for a second reading after staff presented draft language that would add a prohibited-uses section to the land development code and specifically prohibit large-load customers, including data centers, with a narrow exception for city-owned and operated facilities.

Staff said the ordinance language was developed after Planning & Development Board review and that the intent is to prevent certain industrial uses that impose heavy utility loads. "The language introduces a prohibited uses section of our zoning chapter and includes a prohibition on large load customers, which includes data centers," staff said. Council members clarified this would apply only within city limits; one council member noted the county has taken a different approach.

Multiple public commenters urged the council to adopt the ban and encouraged residents to contact County Commissioners whose staffs were preparing county-level guidance. "We must show our county commissioners that we, as constituents, have a vested interest in our community," one commenter said. The council approved the ordinance on first reading 4-0 with one absence and will consider it again on second reading.