A developer has submitted a proposal to build a 600,00 sq ft (55,741 sqm) data center in Lakeland, Florida, called Project Swan.

Located at 923 Wilkinson Road, the data center would take up around 60 acres of land, according to a report by WLFA. The report also cited engineering consultant Kimley-Horn as being involved with the project.

Although the project is currently undergoing an initial concept review and has yet to receive approval from any City department, the developer told the City of Lakeland on June 2 that it wanted to cancel a June 3 Development Review Team (DRT) meeting following receipt of application review comments from the DRT.

“The next steps of the process are for the applicant to review the DRT comments, determine how they wish to proceed, and decide whether to submit additional information, to apply, or seek further clarification from City staff,” says the City.

But the data center proposal has not been withdrawn.

"No final decisions have been made regarding the project. Currently, the timeline rests with the applicant, and there is no required deadline for the applicant to respond to the DRT’s comments," reads the statement.

The comments on Project Swan's application pointed out that the City of Lakeland’s Land Development Code “does not specifically list data centers as a permitted use and are presumed to be a prohibited use unless a determination is made that the use is essentially the same as another permitted use.”

It added that the project would have to annex, rezone, and apply for a Planned Unit Development program in order to secure approval for construction.

Lakeland is a city in southern Florida, around 35 miles (56km) east of Tampa.