Community members say passed moratorium disregards what the community asked for
The Memphis City Council narrowly approved new data center regulations that include a 135-day moratorium, replacing a proposed 18-month pause. Community organizers criticized the ordinance for omitting a requirement for community input, while Mayor Paul Young said his separate 90-day study and executive order will include three community meetings.
The Memphis City Council narrowly passed a substitute data center regulation ordinance that imposes a 135-day moratorium on development. The measure replaced a proposed 18-month moratorium that would have required community input, public hearings and meetings as part of the process.
Community organizers, including Rachael Spriggs of the Equity Alliance and Amber Sherman of Tennessee Black Voters Matter, said the approved ordinance did not address residents' central demand for a formal role in the decision-making process. Mayor Paul Young said an executive order associated with his 90-day data center study requires three community meetings, and organizers said they plan to continue attending meetings and monitoring the legislation.