Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy says what the County of Essex needs regarding data centres is time.
That's time to research the potential impacts on the region.
"We need more information," she said. "There may be places they could go in Essex County, but we have no data, so right now, let's look at putting a pin in place while we have this research."
County councillors found out last week the County of Essex doesn't have the authority to impose a moratorium, although it can conduct a study.
"Hopefully county council will direct county administration to do a study, but at the end of the day, a lot of the local authority comes down to local municipalities and their zoning bylaw," said Bondy.
Municipalities, on the other hand, can impose a moratorium, and Bondy's notice of motion at the last Essex Town Council meeting will be debated on September 8.
That's one week after County Council meets and hopefully approves a study.
At the moment, Bondy said the consensus around the county council table is that the region doesn't have enough infrastructure to support data centres.
Meanwhile, the public has grabbed on to the issue.
"This is driven a lot by the residents," said Bondy. "They have become organized. I have never gotten so many emails on a file as I have on this."
Bondy estimated she's received more than 200 emails from residents concerned about the impact on the environment and infrastructure.
