Metro Council to Consider Data Center Regulations
Metro Councilmember Rollin Horton has filed a zoning bill to impose new restrictions on data centers in Nashville's Davidson County. The proposed regulations would ban data centers over 500,000 square feet, restrict medium and large centers to industrial zones, and impose limits on noise, emissions, and water usage. This initiative aims to address potential strains on the electrical grid and environmental pollution before they become widespread problems.
Metro Councilmember Rollin Horton has introduced a new zoning bill in Nashville aimed at imposing significant restrictions on data center development within Davidson County. Horton stated his observation of data centers' negative effects on other communities, including strain on electrical grids and pollution, prompted the legislation. He noted the current lack of specific regulations in Nashville, emphasizing a proactive approach to prevent future problems.
The proposed bill would prohibit data centers exceeding 500,000 square feet and classify others as small, medium, or large. Medium and large facilities, ranging from 20,000 to 499,000 square feet, would be restricted exclusively to industrial zoning districts, banning them from residential and mixed-use areas. Large data centers would also necessitate a special exception from the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals and a mandatory public hearing, allowing community input.
Furthermore, the legislation includes specific environmental and operational requirements for all data centers. These include strict noise limits of 65 decibels during the day and 55 decibels at night, a mandate for closed-loop water systems to prevent water pollution, and additional emissions regulations to control air pollution. The bill also proposes setback requirements, dictating minimum distances from residential areas, daycares, religious institutions, parks, zoos, and other data centers, depending on the facility's size.