Marietta pauses new data center applications through end of year
The Marietta City Council approved a moratorium on new data center applications through the end of the year due to resident opposition. Residents cited concerns about environmental impacts, noise, and utility rates. The council also delayed a decision on a proposed 18-megawatt data center project.
The Marietta City Council has enacted a moratorium on new data center applications through December 31, following significant opposition from local residents. Dozens of citizens attended a council meeting, with many speaking against data center development and others protesting outside City Hall.
Residents voiced concerns regarding potential environmental impacts, noise pollution, and possible increases in utility rates. In addition to the moratorium, council members voted to delay discussion on a specific proposed 18-megawatt data center at Powers Ferry Place until their August meeting. The project involves converting an existing storage facility.
The moratorium will allow city leaders time to conduct further studies and review existing zoning regulations related to data center development. Marietta joins other local governments in pausing such developments to assess their potential impacts and update relevant policies.