Escambia County Officials Disagree with Residents Over 'Unwritten' Data Center Ban

Escambia County officials continue to resist demands for a formal data center moratorium, arguing that the massive facilities are already banned by default. However, a brief addition of data center regulations to the county master plan, combined with specific development allowances at Outlying Field 8 (OLF-8), has left residents demanding explicit, written prohibitions.

During the September 24th Board of County Commissioners meeting, the disconnect between local leadership and residents centered heavily on legal interpretation and the county's Land Development Code.

County staff, including Horus Jones, clarified that if a developer proposed a data center today, the official administrative response would be "no." Because the facilities are neither explicitly permitted therefore are prohibited according to the code.

Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger argued that writing a specific ban into the code could actually backfire on the county.

"If we put something in writing, banning something specific, it opens up loopholes for people to come and say 'well I don't meet that criteria so it must be permitted,'" Hofberger said.

Citizens pushed back heavily against this administrative perspective.

(Yabraian challenges Hofberger's statement about loopholes)

Candidate for Florida House District 1, Francesca Yabraian challenged the board's legal basis, referencing Florida law regarding the plain meaning of ordinances to argue that an unwritten ban is legally flimsy and fails to protect the community.

The community's distrust is fueled by recent county actions. Data center regulations were recently added to the county's master plan, though they were quickly removed following swift public backlash. Furthermore, the OLF-8 design code released in July contradicts the county’s claim of a blanket prohibition.

Documents attached to the July 7 Planning Board agenda show Tri-W’s proposed design code creates a category called “Integrated Institutional/Commercial Data Centers.” It permitted facilities up to 5 megawatts if they support a primary business, such as a healthcare or educational use. Under this language, a developer could propose a nominal primary business and attach a serious data center facility to it.

The code also included an ongoing compliance section, dictating that any increase in data center floor area or generator capacity required an amended Development Review Committee review; effectively zoning OLF-8 for mid-sized data center development.

Resident Kristy Rosen argued that the current county and city regulations—which only cap data centers at 50 megawatts or more—are insufficient. She requested an immediate moratorium to study smaller data centers, citing fears that gaps in the code allow for development without adequate guardrails.

Sarah, another resident, emphasized that the magnitude and capacity of these centers must be the critical focus of the board, noting severe concerns about neighborhood impacts like industrial noise.

Residents spent the public forum demanding that the board close these unwritten gaps and prioritize the local quality of life over potential industrial developments.

"Growth should fit the community, not require the community to fit the project," John Moore said.

Margaret Hostetter rejected any compromises that allow smaller facilities to slip through the cracks.

"We need a complete moratorium until proper studies and public hearings are held," Hostetter said.

Misha Phillips echoed the community's zero-tolerance stance.

"We don't want any size data center. Even 10 megawatts is too big," Phillips said.

Despite the unified opposition from speakers at the podium, Commissioner Steve Stroberger emphasized that the board is evaluating all sides. The commissioner noted that while there is significant public opposition, some residents have privately emailed the board in support of data centers.

Still, the recurring debate has frustrated several commissioners who feel the issue is settled under the current code.

(Commissioner May concurs with Stroberger on the fact that data centers should no longer be an issue)

"I don't understand if it's banned why are we having this conversation. They're banned," Commissioner Lumon May said at a previous meeting.

For the residents of Escambia County, the answer to that question is simple: a 50 megawatt ban is insufficient protection for the county.