VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County leaders voted Tuesday to ban large-scale data centers in the county’s unincorporated areas.
The County Council previously approved the ordinance unanimously, 7-0, on its first reading before taking the final vote Tuesday.
Supporters of the ban have raised concerns about the potential impact large-scale data centers could have on the area’s water supply and natural resources, as well as electricity demand, noise, and nearby neighborhoods.
County Council Member Don Dempsey, who supported the ban, previously told Channel 9 he was particularly concerned about potential effects on the aquifer and surrounding property owners.
“Nobody wants it in their backyard, and I understand that, but even more so, we are prone to sinkholes in this area and I think it could do a lot of damage to property owners,” Dempsey said.
Channel 9 previously spoke with residents about the issue and found mixed opinions.
“I think they’re necessary if you want AI and you want all these technology advancements, so kinda need it,” resident Dangela Arroyo said.
Another resident raised concerns about the potential strain on natural resources.
“Our natural resources are already kind of limited, so the more data centers we have, the less resources we will have ultimately, and then how will we survive,” Oatman said.
The ordinance prohibits large-scale data centers with an anticipated peak electrical load of at least 50 megawatts in unincorporated Volusia County.
The ban does not apply within Volusia County’s incorporated cities, which have their own land-use authority.
Dempsey previously said the county had not received any applications for an AI data center and that the goal was to put restrictions in place before a project was proposed.
“We haven’t had anyone come here kicking tires looking to put a facility in Volusia County,” Dempsey said. “Again, the reason I am proposing this is because the governor and the Legislature has given us this small window of opportunity to seize the moment to put a permanent ban in place.”
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