The Apopka Planning Commission will take up potential data center regulations as part of a workshop on changes to the city’s Land Development Code next month, members said Tuesday. 

Robert Ryan, who presided over the meeting, raised the issue as commissioners prepared for a Land Development Code workshop scheduled for Sept. 8. The board will focus first on commercial rules – including data centers – before turning to residential issues. 

“We need to come up with a definition for data centers,” Ryan said. “We need to also talk about a possible moratorium on data centers for a short period of time, and we need to balance the pros and cons of a data center.” 

Ryan said potential benefits include tax revenue, construction jobs and low daily traffic, while concerns include energy demand, water consumption, noise and light pollution. 

“We need to look into that and make sure that Duke Energy can handle their demand without raising rates to our residents,” Ryan said, adding that the city also needs to examine “the water consumption of data centers and noise and light pollution.” 

Commission member David Woods said he couldn’t find clear protections in the city’s Land Development Code for existing properties that abut new development, citing past disputes near Border Lake, Clear Lake and Emerson Park.  

Assistant City Attorney Andrew Hand said adverse effects are typically addressed through buffers, walls and compatible zoning, while Planning Manager Bobby Howell pointed Woods to the code’s Neighborhood Compatibility Standards, which apply to development adjacent to existing residential property. 

The commission had agreed unanimously in July to hold the Sept. 8 workshop after Ryan asked members to consider potential changes to the development code. 

Commissioners also elected Eric Mock as vice chair Tuesday. David Woods nominated Mock, Malika Harrison seconded the nomination, and the commission approved it without opposition. 

Ryan presided as chair Tuesday but has not been appointed chair. Longtime Planning Commission Chair William Gusler resigned from the board in June. 

City Clerk Susan Bone said after Tuesday’s meeting that the City Commission is expected Aug. 19 to consider on first reading an ordinance concerning the Planning Commission. A second reading and possible adoption are scheduled for Sept. 2. 

In other business, the Planning Commission unanimously approved a special exception allowing an accessory dwelling unit at 107 N. Central Ave. The proposal calls for converting a detached garage into an accessory dwelling unit in the Mixed-Use Downtown zoning district. 

The commission also unanimously recommended approval of two future land-use amendments for proposed commercial development in the Kelly Park area. 

The Kelly Park Road Commercial amendment covers approximately 3.48 acres east of Effie Drive and north of Kelly Park Road. Applicant Luke Classon said no commercial tenants have been signed, although the developer has received interest and is talking with a grocer, quick-service restaurants and other retail users. 

The Twin Fountains Commercial amendment covers approximately 5.09 acres east of Plymouth Sorrento Road and south of Kelly Park Road. Commercial development is favorable in the area because of residential growth nearby, although Plymouth Sorrento Road is expected to experience increasingly heavy traffic, planning manager Jean Sanchez said.  

Both amendments would establish Mixed-Use future land-use designations. The Planning Commission recommended approval of both.