Athens Planning Commission approves zoning amendment to attract data centers

The Athens Planning Commission has recommended an amendment to the city's zoning ordinance that would permit data center development along Wilkinson Street, an area currently home to manufacturing plants. This proposal, approved by the commission on March 17, is intended to proactively position Athens to attract data center investment, a growing national trend driven by the demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure. City Planner Erin Tidwell stated that while the City of Athens has not yet received a formal request for a data center, the amendment seeks to update the zoning code, which often does not explicitly address data centers, to allow them as a conditional use in manufacturing/industrial zones. Conditional use permits offer an additional layer of scrutiny, allowing the city to apply specific conditions and ensuring more public input before approval. While proponents highlight potential economic benefits such as jobs and infrastructure investment, the proposal has also sparked environmental concerns. Claire Tribble, executive director of Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful, acknowledged the economic upsides but cautioned about the significant ecological impacts associated with data centers, including substantial energy and water consumption, potential pollution, gas emissions, and the challenge of managing toxic e-waste. The City Council is scheduled to consider the proposed zoning change and its wider implications at its April 27 meeting.