The Jones County Planning & Zoning Commission on the evening of the meeting considered a Board of Commissioners request to begin a text amendment to the county’s comprehensive land development resolution to allow data centers as a conditional use in the C-1 district. Staff told the commission the implementing ordinance is not yet complete, and the commission voted to table the matter for further work and public input.

The amendment, introduced by the Board of Commissioners and described as changes to sections 32, 24, 73.139 and 96.7 of the comprehensive land development resolution, would define how data centers might be regulated if allowed in C-1. A staff member said the draft ordinance was advertised in anticipation of completion but was not ready to be acted on tonight. A board member said, “We don't want to rush into nothing that we're gonna regret,” arguing the commission needs more time and community input before recommending any change.

Commissioners voted to table the item; staff clarified that because the planning commission tabled the amendment it will not appear on the Board of Commissioners’ Dec. 2 agenda and will return to the planning commission at a future meeting. No formal ordinance was adopted and no final recommendation was sent to the commissioners tonight.

The issue remains in development and will be reconsidered once the ordinance language is finalized and the planning commission schedules further discussion.