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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 17, 2026 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-c <br /> SUBJECT: Discussion of Moratorium on "Data Centers" as a Land Use <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Attorney's Office & <br /> Planning and Inspections <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1) Overview of Potential Impacts from Large- John Roberts, County Attorney, 919- <br /> Scale Data Centers 245-2318 <br /> 2) Presentation Cy Stober, Planning Director, 919- <br /> 245-2575 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive an overview of the impacts of data centers and discuss a possible 1-year <br /> moratorium on new data centers as a permitted land use. <br /> BACKGROUND: At the March 5, 2026, Board Business meeting, Commissioner Marilyn Carter <br /> petitioned to ask staff to prepare a presentation for the Board's March 17, 2026, Business meeting <br /> addressing the following: <br /> 1) The potential impacts of large-scale data center development in Orange County, including <br /> electricity demand, water usage, land use compatibility, environmental considerations, and <br /> potential impacts on residents' utility costs, and water quality. <br /> 2) Policy options available to the County, including, but not limited to, a temporary moratorium <br /> on data center development, revising the Orange County Land Use Plan and UDO, and <br /> the legal process required to implement each option. <br /> 3) Recommendation(s) for Board action. <br /> Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford asked that noise and environmental justice also be included. <br /> The County Attorney and Planning Director have prepared a presentation, with sources cited for <br /> reference, regarding the potential impacts from "large-scale data centers". The County Attorney <br /> also assessed two policy options available to the Board in declaring a moratorium on this land <br /> use, less than or greater than 60 days. There are differing public notice criteria for the two <br /> moratorium options. <br /> A pending amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to regulate data centers as <br /> a permitted land use may also be directed to staff, at the Board's pleasure. It is not possible to <br /> amend the UDO's text within 60 days due to the administrative requirements of Orange County's <br /> UDO. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. <br />