New documents reveal where a large, new data center could be located
A proposed data center in South Nashville, near the Nashville Zoo, faces significant community opposition, including a large petition and legal action from zoo officials. Metro Council is considering a moratorium on data center construction until November 1st to allow time for new zoning regulations to be established, as current rules permit data centers wherever office buildings can be built.
An Atlanta-based company is proposing to build a large data center in South Nashville, near the Nashville Zoo. Initial plans filed with Metro Planning indicate a 69,000 square foot facility, with discussions also revealing a potential second, much larger building exceeding 200,000 square feet on the site.
The proposal has sparked significant community backlash, with over 350,000 people signing a petition in opposition. Officials from the Nashville Zoo have hired attorneys and filed a complaint with the city to prevent the necessary zoning change.
Currently, Metro rules permit data centers in any area zoned for office buildings. In response to the growing concerns and the ongoing permit process, the Metro Council is considering implementing a moratorium on all new data center construction until November 1st. This temporary halt aims to provide the Planning Commission with sufficient time to develop and enact new zoning regulations specifically addressing data center developments. The reporter reviewed over 200 pages of documents from the Metro Codes Department, detailing plans for the two proposed buildings, including cooling systems and other infrastructure.