LECANTO, FL (352Today.com) – The Deltona Corporation has withdrawn its applications for a major expansion of Citrus County’s Holder Industrial Park that could have allowed large-scale data centers, effectively ending the controversial proposal. The first application was a Comprehensive Plan Amendment seeking to change the property’s future land use designation from residential to heavy industrial on the county’s long-range growth plan. The second was a rezoning application seeking to change the land’s current zoning to a heavy industrial district, allowing for data centers and other intensive industrial uses. Both approvals were required before any development could proceed
In a press release issued on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Deltona confirmed it has withdrawn both applications. As a result, the two hearings previously scheduled before the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners on July 14 at 5:01 p.m. and 5:05 p.m. will no longer take place.
A controversial proposal
On June 19, 2026, the Citrus County Planning and Development Commission (PDC) held a nearly nine-hour public hearing on Deltona Corporation’s proposal to expand the Holder Industrial Park and rezone more than 1,300 acres from residential to heavy industrial use, with a large portion designated for potential data center development. More than 200 residents attended the meeting, with the vast majority speaking in opposition. Residents expressed strong concerns about potential impacts on the Floridan Aquifer, drinking water wells, noise, traffic, emergency services, wildlife and the county’s rural character. Many criticized the lack of transparency and the absence of a confirmed tenant or detailed plans for water and power usage.
After hours of public comment and discussion, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend denial of the application. The vote was advisory only. The final decision was scheduled to go before the Board of County Commissioners on July 14. During the meeting, Deltona representatives indicated the project could attract a hyperscale data center and referenced nondisclosure agreements, though no specific tenant had been secured. The proposal had already been continued once in March after the commission found the original application incomplete.
Issues with the application
Deltona’s decision to withdraw the applications comes just five days after the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners denied the company’s request to continue the July 14 hearing until November. According to Communications Manager and Public Information Officer for Citrus County, Jamie Ang, before the June 23 press release, the board voted on June 19 to deny the continuance request, keeping the matter on the July calendar.
Revised maps submitted by Deltona showed a “Data Center Use Area” ranging from 675 to 777 acres. Intervenor Joe Hicks, a Beverly Hills resident and data center infrastructure expert, had argued before the Planning Commission that the 777-acre area could support a facility between 1,800 and 2,700 megawatts. He also raised concerns that the May 12 revised application removed stronger water protections that had been discussed earlier and lacked sufficient detail on electrical load, low-frequency noise, vibration and long-term impacts required under Florida Statute §163.3177.
Further regulation is pending
Citrus County enacted a one-year moratorium on data centers in May 2026. The county has been working on an ordinance “to help strongly regulate data centers at the Board of County Commissioners’ direction,” according to Ang.
Ang confirmed that all submitted materials related to the Holder Industrial Park proposal are available in the public meeting backup documents on the county’s website. She also stated that the county is not currently aware of any other data center proposals under review. Residents who want to receive updates on future development applications can sign up for notifications at citruscounty.gov/notify.