After a packed public hearing focused on water, noise and wildlife concerns, the Pine County Board voted unanimously to reaffirm Ordinance 2026-50 and set a 12-month moratorium on data-center permitting effective Aug. 18, 2026.

More than a dozen residents and local leaders urged commissioners to extend the initial six-month moratorium to at least one year, citing groundwater and lake-level concerns, constant noise and light pollution, and risks to tourism and migratory birds.

After a public hearing with dozens of residents, the Pine County Board voted to reaffirm Ordinance 2026-15 and change the moratorium length from six to 12 months, setting the effective date as Aug. 18 to create a stronger procedural record for the county’s study of data centers.

The Pine County Board approved a six-month interim moratorium on data center development countywide to give the zoning board time to study siting, setbacks and regulation; the zoning board may form a working group and county staff may be involved.

After a presentation on data centers, Pine County commissioners expressed concern about unintended consequences of a moratorium and directed the Zoning Board to form a work group to develop recommendations; the Board also asked that a previously proposed moratorium be placed on an upcoming agenda for further discussion.