Athens City Council delays data center zoning items amid public opposition

The Athens City Council recently voted to table all planning and zoning items for a proposed data center following significant public opposition. Over 100 residents attended the Monday meeting, voicing concerns about the company, Data Factory, which expressed interest in developing in the East Texas town. According to city of Athens spokesperson Michael Hannigan, existing city ordinances necessitated this planning and zoning process, as there are no current laws on the books for industries like data centers. The city must first define and classify uses for such an industry before any project can be approved or denied. After hearing public comments, the council postponed decisions on all zoning items related to data centers and battery energy. Hannigan stated that city staff will now consult with a third-party expert, and the council agreed with the points raised by the public, indicating the items will be reconsidered at a later date.