Crossville City Council to Consider Two-Year Data Center Moratorium
Crossville City Council has called a special meeting to consider a two-year moratorium on data centers and high-density computing facilities due to concerns about their strain on public utilities, water supplies, and local infrastructure. If approved, the pause would allow for studies and the establishment of permanent land-use rules addressing noise, water, and cost protection for residents.
Crossville City Council is holding a special meeting on July 28, 2026, to address critical municipal issues, primarily a proposed two-year moratorium on data centers and high-density computing facilities, including cryptocurrency mining and AI processing. The city's concern stems from a recent surge in development inquiries across Tennessee and the significant strain these facilities place on public utility grids, water supplies, and local infrastructure, as well as the persistent low-frequency noise they generate.
If enacted, the moratorium would halt new land use, zoning, and building permits for 24 months, allowing the Planning Commission and municipal staff to thoroughly study the environmental, acoustic, and utility impacts. This period would also be used to establish permanent land-use rules, potentially including mandatory acoustic enclosures, maximum decibel limits, half-mile buffer zones, water usage effectiveness restrictions, and requirements for developers to bear all infrastructure expansion costs, such as electrical substations.
The proposed ordinance would exempt existing data center operations from the moratorium, provided they do not expand, and facilities already vested under state law. The special meeting agenda also includes appointing a replacement for the late Councilman James Mayberry, discussions on a School Resource Officer grant, a water assets transfer referendum, and amendments to the FY25–26 budget. A public comment period will precede the legislative actions at Crossville City Hall.