How Alachua Can Ban Data Centers on Monday, Sept. 14

Written By Soorya Lindberg

In the City of Alachua, Vice-Mayor Ringerson has added an item on the agenda for the Monday, September 14, 2026 6pm meeting to discuss data centers. (Timeline of events at the end of this post.)

Screenshot of the agenda item for 9/14.

Good news: Two other Florida counties have banned data centers and the City Commission can follow this example to prohibit them here.

You read that right.

Jackson County, Florida: On June 9, 2026 and June 23, 2026he Board of County Commissioners adopted an ordinance to BAN data centers by a 5-0 vote. Here is a link to the file of all the legal language and excerpt is below.

“…PROHIBITING THE ACCEPTANCE, PROCESSING, REVIEW, AND ISSUANCE OF DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS, DEVELOPMENT ORDERS, DEVELOPMENT PERMITS, BUILDING PERMITS, AND OTHER COUNTY APPROVALS FOR DATA CENTERS AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES…” (emphasis added)

WFSU: Data centers in Jackson County are officially banned


Walton County, Florida: On June 9, 2026 their Board of County Commissioners adopted an ordinance to ban data centers. Here is a link to the file for the legal language and an excerpt is below.

“…WHEREAS, the Board has observed the proliferation of large load centers, specifically those classified as “data centers” around the country, and recognizes the adverse impacts these developments create for the community and the drain on natural resources, and;

WHEREAS, the Board, upon the advice of Planning Staff, has determined that large load centers, and specifically data centers, are neither expressly allowed or disallowed in any specific land use category or zoning district presently, but that the nature of this type of development is inherently contrary to the Comprehensive Plan and the County’s position on conservation and preservation of natural resources, among other long-held policies that are in the best interests of the public, and;…” (emphasis added)

WJHG: Walton County adopts ordinance, prohibiting data and large load centers

How do we ban data centers here?

The City Commission makes a motion (and approves) to direct the City Manager to remove language about data centers from the Appraisal and Evaluation Report AND return with a draft ordinance to ban data centers like Jackson County and Walton County by a DATE CERTAIN.

Caveat: The Evaluation and Appraisal report must be submitted to the state before 2027. This report and/or an ordinance to the land development code must be reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Board once and then approved by the City Commission twice.

(These are initial thoughts, if you see an issue or have a better idea send an email.

How policies are implemented in city government.

The proposed language in the Evaluation and Appraisal report that proposes to allow data centers on Industrial zoned land with conditions came from City Staff for review and approval.



As you can see in this flowchart, the power here is with the Commission to approve, deny, or redirect a policy.



I’m grateful for Vice-Mayor Ringerson for listening to public concern and putting this item on the agenda so the board can have a conversation.



If the board does make a motion, that is when public comment will be open and everyone gets three minutes to speak.

Data Centers Can Be Banned. So Why Is Alachua Opening the Door?

After the September 8th Planning & Zoning Board meeting was cancelled and postponed to September 29th, the City’s Planning Director spoke with concerned citizens afterward. He stated that the proposed text change, which would allow data centers on Industrial-zoned land with conditions, is intended to bring the City into compliance with state law and use the authority provided by the state to regulate data centers.

But as we see in the examples above from Jackson County and Walton County, a ban is possible, legal, and there is already precedent. Based on these facts, I disagree with the City’s position that this change is about compliance with state law.

If Florida law allows local governments to prohibit data centers, then Alachua can do that too. So let’s get to it already!

Alachua City Commission Meeting
Monday, September 14th, 6pm (Link to agenda)
Alachua City Hall

Send an email: Tell City of Alachua: Pause Data Centers, Don’t Pave the Way

Timeline

  • February 2026: An online listing advertising a data center near city limits caught the attention of locals.
    (Link: Facts Found: Data Center Listing in Alachua)

  • May 2026: City hosted an Alachua 2050 Workshop to gather citizen input in preparation for a mandated revision of their Evaluation and Appraisal Report. Attendees could submit their feedback in an online survey or provide sticky-notes in person. The majority of the notes were against data centers.
    (Link: Notes: Alachua 2050 Public Workshop)

  • September 2026: A proposed draft of the Evaluation and Appraisal Report was posted on the City website and slotted to go through review with the Planning & Zoning Board on 9/8 (postponed to potentially 9/29). This draft would allow data centers on Industrial zoned land with conditions.
    (Link: City of Alachua Prepares to Open the Door to Data Centers Tuesday)

Soorya Lindberg
Next

City of Alachua Prepares to Open the Door to Data Centers Tuesday, Sept 8th 6pm (tentatively postponed to 9/29)