Data Center Moratorium: Where’s the Public & Expert Input?
On Monday, September 28th at 6pm at Alachua City Hall, the City Commission will vote on Ordinance 26-17, a proposed 12-month moratorium on data centers. While a moratorium gives Alachua an opportunity to pause and understand what data centers could mean for our community, there are some concerns with how this first draft is written.
The concern is not the moratorium itself, but what happens during it and what permanent rules come out of it. This is our opportunity to make sure the process includes independent expertise, meaningful public involvement, and enough time to get it right.
This is a concern for a few reasons:
Public trust is weary. For multiple meetings in the Spring, hundreds showed up and sent emails to tell the City that we do not want a data center in Alachua because of a real estate listing online. At first, we were told that there is no language in our code to have a data center, so it is not possible to have a data center in Alachua (until the next point).
City proposes a policy for data centers. On Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 6pm, the Planning & Zoning Board will review NEW, proposed language for the Comprehensive Plan to ALLOW data centers recommended by City staff that will then go to Commission. The public does not want a data center, so then when the city writes a policy (and recommends approval) allowing data centers with certain conditions it produces discord. The policy, as it is written at the time of this post, will make data centers legally possible. The associated conditions introduce opportunities for an applicant to meet those conditions or apply for special exceptions.
Since the last election in April 2026, three out of five Commissioners (Mayor Welch, Vice Mayor Ringerson, Commissioner Brown) consistently vote with staff’s recommendation. This is something to be aware of if the City Manager directs staff to bring forward an ordinance to end the moratorium before the 12 months are over.
The next City election is in April 2027 and it is for the seats of Vice Mayor Ringerson and Commissioner Brown. What happens if an end to the data center moratorium is introduced before April 2027? Will they continue to vote for City Administration’s recommendations without open public discussion and questions from the dais?
Read ahead of two major concerns with the moratorium as it is currently written. (The Commission has the power to recommend changes to text before it’s approved.)
A 12-Month Moratorium Is Not Guaranteed
The proposed moratorium can end before 12 months (screenshot). Link to moratorium text.
As written, it lasts for 12 months or until permanent data center regulations take effect, whichever happens first. The Commission can also vote by ordinance to end the moratorium early. It can also be extended one time for up to six months if certain conditions are met.
Who Is Helping Write Alachua’s Data Center Rules? Why is it Staff only?
The proposed ordinance gives City staff nine months to investigate data centers and recommend permanent regulations. It assigns that work to the City Manager/Staff and City Attorneys before board review.
But the ordinance does not require public workshops, a citizen advisory group, or independent subject-matter experts to participate in that nine-month investigation.
Public hearings will be part of the formal process, but there is a difference between commenting on regulations after they have been drafted and being involved while they are being developed.
We have scientists, engineers, environmental professionals, and people who simply love Alachua living right here in our community. Residents may also have connections to experts in water, energy, public health, noise, land use, and other areas that deserve serious consideration.
Gentle Reminder
The future of data centers in Alachua cannot be decided only by the City staff and Attorneys. These roles are part of a government structure that ultimately leads back to the City Commission answers to YOU.
The people are at the top of the pyramid. Now is the time to pay attention, speak up, and show up when you can. The details in these documents matter because the language being written now is what becomes law once passed.
This is the first draft, which means now is exactly the time to ask questions and make improvements. A moratorium gives Alachua an opportunity to get this right, but the process matters too. The public and independent experts should have a meaningful role before permanent data center rules are written. Pay attention, ask questions, share, and speak up. The details in these documents matter because the language being written now is what becomes law.
Monday, September 28, 2026, 6pm
Alachua City Hall
15100 NW 142 Terrace, Alachua, FL 32615
This item is TENTH on the agenda if it is not moved on the spot, so not being there at 6pm is fine as far as we know!
