Atlanta debates data center rezoning near MARTA stations

In 2024, the city of Atlanta implemented a policy banning data centers within a half-mile radius of its Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) stations. This decision was based on the principle that developments around mass transit hubs should prioritize high-density, people-oriented uses, a characteristic contrary to the typical nature of data centers. This policy was widely praised as a forward-thinking model for how other cities could manage the rapid expansion of data center development across the nation. However, despite this established stance, a new "planned rezoning" initiative is underway in Southwest Atlanta that would permit a data center to be built near a MARTA station. This proposal has met with significant opposition from neighborhoods in the affected area. The article raises concerns about why certain members of the Atlanta City Council are backing this rezoning effort, suggesting it represents a backtrack on the city's previously lauded and intentionally crafted zoning regulations.