Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2026-21 Declaring a Moratorium on Data Centers — reading text

RESOLUTION 2026- 21 A RESOLUTION DECLARING A MORATORIUM ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DATA CENTERS WHEREAS, the Governing Authority of the City of Fort Walton Beach from time to time reviews its ordinances to ensure that its laws preserve the quality of life for citizens while imposing limited and effective regulations on certain industrial and commercial uses that impact quality of life; and WHEREAS, the Governing Authority of the City of Fort Walton Beach intends to study the effects of data centers on the health, safety, and welfare of the City' s residents and businesses; and WHEREAS, the Governing Authority of the City of Fort Walton Beach intends to consider revisions to the Code designed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the City' s residents and businesses; and WHEREAS, the Governing Authority of the City of Fort Walton Beach intends to consider revisions to the Code designed to protect existing access to power and water supply for the City' s residents; WHEREAS, the Governing Authority of the City of Fort Walton Beach must take immediate and responsive action to protect the interests of the City, and it is in the best interests of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City that no applications be accepted in the incorporated area of the City of Fort Walton Beach if such applications relate to the establishment of new data centers, including any applications for special land use permits, rezonings, land disturbance permits, building permits, business licenses, or certificates of occupancy. NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, as follows: 1. The moratorium imposed herein incorporates the findings and statements set forth in the preceding " Whereas" clauses and such clauses are made a part of this Resolution. 2. For the purposes of this Resolution, " data center" means a physical room, building, or facility that houses infrastructure for building, running, delivering or transmitting applications and services, or for storing and managing the data associated with those applications or services. 3. From the date of adoption of this Resolution, notwithstanding any provision of the Code to the contrary, there shall be a complete moratorium on the acceptance of any applications relating to the establishment of new data centers, including any applications for special land use permits, rezonings, land disturbance permits, building permits, business licenses, or certificates of occupancy, in incorporated Fort Walton Beach city limits.  RESOLUTION 2026- 21 4. From the date of adoption of this Resolution, notwithstanding any provision of the Code to the contrary, no licenses or permits shall be granted or denied concerning the establishment of new data centers, including special land use permits, rezonings, land disturbance permits, building permits, business licenses, or certificates of occupancy for such establishments, in incorporated Fort Walton Beach city limits. 5. This moratorium shall remain in effect unless ended by official action of the Governing Authority of the City of Fort Walton beach. 6. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or other portion of this Resolution, or its application to any person, entity or circumstance, is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of the Resolution, or application of the provision to other persons, entities or circumstances, shall not be affected. 4tgle Adopted: 5pp1ember IS 1 • llegretto, M., or Attest: Approved as to legal orm and sufficiency for the City o ort Walton Beach, only. Kim5Barnes, City Clerk Kimberly R. .. o Ko.., Ci Attorney 14