Athens issues statement to address ‘confusion’ over data center zoning proposal

The City of Athens, Alabama, has released a statement to clarify a proposed amendment to its zoning ordinance concerning data centers. The city council plans to classify data centers as a conditional use within manufacturing and heavy industrial zones, a move intended to provide legal certainty and additional scrutiny should data center developers express interest in the future. The proposal comes amidst a nationwide trend of communities grappling with data center developments and their significant demands on local power and water utilities. According to the city's statement, the amendment is proactive, as Athens has not yet received any specific data center development requests. The initiative aims to avoid issues faced by other communities whose existing zoning laws did not adequately address data center projects. A "conditional use" classification means data centers would not be automatically permitted but would require a specific request, allowing for conditions of use to be applied and restricting their location, without guaranteeing approval. The process for this amendment involves public hearings with the Planning Commission, which will then make a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will hold another public hearing before taking final action. The proposed zoning ordinance amendment is slated for the Athens City Council's regular meeting agenda on April 27.