The Franklin County Commission voted on September 2 to put a moratorium on data centers. The pause applies to new special use permits for data center projects in unincorporated parts of the county and runs until December 31, 2028.

Commissioners, who signaled the move a week earlier, said the county should research data centers and set policies before any developer applies. County Administrator Derek Brown said the county also wants to address wind and solar projects, two other local debates in recent years.

Commissioner Don Stottlemyer recalled how little was known about data centers when the topic first surfaced three years ago. The county expects to finish its comprehensive plan by the time the pause ends, and the new data center rules will be part of it.

For details, see KOFO's reports on the proposal, the vote and Commissioner Stottlemyer's comments.