Walker County Approves Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers

LAFAYETTE, Ga. — The Walker County Board of Commissioners has approved a temporary moratorium on new data center applications, giving county officials time to review and potentially revise local regulations governing the rapidly growing industry.

The board voted during its July meeting to enact a 30-day moratorium that prohibits the county from accepting applications related to locating data centers in Walker County.

County officials said the 30-day period will allow them to begin the process of extending the moratorium for an additional 180 days. A public hearing on the proposed extension is scheduled for the Board of Commissioners’ next meeting on Aug. 6.

According to the county, the extended moratorium would give the county attorney and staff time to review the county’s zoning ordinance and develop proposed amendments specifically addressing data center development.

Officials said the review will focus on issues including allowable zoning districts, setbacks, buffers, noise, lighting, water and electricity demand, environmental impacts, and compatibility with surrounding land uses.

Any proposed changes to the county’s zoning code must first be reviewed during a public hearing before the Planning Commission, followed by a separate public hearing before the Board of Commissioners before they can be adopted.

County officials anticipate the proposed zoning amendments will be presented for consideration early next year.