Daily Digest — June 10, 2026
Birmingham City Council Approves Data Center Zoning Ordinance After Contentious Hearing
The Birmingham City Council voted 6-3 on Tuesday to approve a new zoning ordinance establishing 20 protective conditions for hyperscale data centers, according to The Birmingham Times. The decision followed a nearly five-hour meeting that drew roughly 300 attendees to City Hall, as reported by BirminghamWatch.
Key provisions of the ordinance include:
- Minimum 5-acre lot size
- 500-foot setbacks from residential properties and 1,000-foot setbacks from transit stations
- Closed-loop cooling systems required
- On-site power generation restricted to solar and fuel cells, with diesel and gas permitted only for emergencies
- Noise mitigation measures
City officials, including Hunter Garrison, Deputy Director of the Office of Resilience and Sustainability, described the regulations as among the strongest in the Southeast, according to WBRC. However, dozens of residents and advocates objected to a special exception provision that would allow hyperscale data centers meeting all 20 conditions to bypass public hearings for zoning approval. Ryan Anderson of the Southern Environmental Law Center and Allison Black Cornelius of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society criticized the removal of public input mechanisms, as reported by WBRC.
The ordinance is tentatively set to take effect on June 20 and will be enforced once the city's existing six-month moratorium on data center applications, enacted March 3, expires. A pending lawsuit from Oxmoor community residents against the city over a proposed Nebius data center factored into the council's deliberations, according to BirminghamWatch. Council President Wardine Alexander and Councilors Darrell O'Quinn and Sonja Smith voted against the measure.
Birmingham City Council approves data center zoning rules after nearly 3 hours of public comment
WBRC
Crowds Throng City Hall as Council Passes Data Center Rules
BirminghamWatch
Birmingham City Council Votes 6-3 to Pass New Regulations for Data Centers
The Birmingham Times
Birmingham passes data center ordinance after hours-long public hearing
WVTM 13 News
Data center public hearing Birmingham city council
WVTM 13 News
Nashville Metro Council Advances Data Center Moratorium Amid Zoo Controversy
The Nashville Metro Council is moving forward with a temporary moratorium on data center construction, prompted by public backlash over a proposed DC BLOX project adjacent to the Nashville Zoo, according to FOX Nashville. Councilmember Courtney Johnston emergency-filed a bill that would halt the acceptance, processing, approval, and issuance of data center permits in Nashville and Davidson County.
The moratorium passed its first reading with a 26-1 vote and would remain in effect until November 1, 2026, or until Metro establishes new zoning regulations specific to data centers. Johnston described the measure as an "insurance policy" to prevent projects from advancing under the current, undefined zoning code.
Public opposition has been substantial:
- An online petition against the zoo-adjacent project has gathered 380,000 signatures
- An informal poll showed 85% of respondents supporting a temporary ban
- The Nashville Zoo's president has raised concerns about potential endangerment of sensitive animals
Councilmember Roland Horton is separately sponsoring legislation for permanent data center regulations. The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public comment session on Horton's bill.
DeKalb County Extends Data Center Moratorium Through September
DeKalb County commissioners voted 5-2 to extend the county's moratorium on new data center development and expansion in unincorporated areas for another 100 days, pushing the ban through late September, according to WSB-TV. The moratorium was initially enacted nearly a year ago and had been previously extended to June, as reported by 11Alive.
The extension followed a packed public meeting where residents raised concerns about drainage issues, higher utility bills, and environmental impacts, according to Atlanta News First. Commissioner Nicole Massiah stated the move is intended to ensure a comprehensive understanding of long-term effects on residents' health, environment, utility costs, and quality of life before making permanent decisions.
The county currently hosts two data centers in the Brookhaven and Dunwoody areas. During the extended moratorium period, county leaders and residents will continue reviewing a proposed ordinance addressing data center location, design, environmental impact, and operations, as reported by 95.5 WSB. A proposal for an even longer extension was considered but failed.
DeKalb extends data center moratorium through September
95.5 WSB
DeKalb County extends data center moratorium
Atlanta News First
DeKalb County extends data center moratorium another 100 days
WSB-TV
DeKalb County extends data center moratorium through September
11Alive
DeKalb commissioners approve moratorium on new data center projects
11Alive