Staff at Monday’s Crestview city council meeting presented a proposed direction for developing an ordinance that would prohibit data center development within the city of Crestview and address potential annexation issues.
Staff said the issue was brought forward by Councilwoman Dusty Allison, who was absent from the meeting. City staff researched how the city could use its land development code to prohibit data centers and identified similar ordinances adopted by other communities in the Florida Panhandle that could serve as models.
Staff asked the council to provide direction before beginning the formal ordinance- and advertising-process.
Council Discussion
Council members expressed support for pursuing restrictions on data centers within the city.
Mayor Pro Tem Doug Capps pointed to the approximately 1,400 acres of underdeveloped property surrounding the recently completed bypass, noting that future development in the area could require city water and sewer services and potentially annexation into Crestview.
Mayor Pro Tem said the ordinance would provide a proactive step to address potential data center development rather than waiting until a project is proposed.
Council Action
Mayor JB Whitten confirmed that the city manager was seeking authorization to develop the ordinance.
Councilman Sylvester Echols moved to direct the city manager to develop an ordinance addressing data centers. Councilman Frost seconded the motion.
The motion passed 4-0, with one council member absent.
Next step: City staff will develop a proposed ordinance, modeled in part on similar Panhandle regulations, for consideration through the city’s formal ordinance process.
