City Sets Public Hearing on Data Centers, Town Halls on ADUs

The Birmingham City Council has scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, June 9, at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall, to discuss proposed changes to the city's zoning ordinance that would affect new data center developments. This decision was made at a recent meeting where the council, after hearing testimony from numerous concerned residents, unanimously voted to postpone a decision on the regulations until early June. Council President Wardine Alexander emphasized the importance of ensuring resident concerns are meaningfully incorporated into the final ordinance framework. She stated that the goal is to keep residents informed about the proposed updates, their potential impact on future projects, and how these safeguards aim to protect residential neighborhoods. In a separate but related initiative, the city also announced plans to begin discussions on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), setting a series of town hall meetings for the following month. The city's Planning Division is considering establishing consistent standards for ADUs, which are currently not permitted in all residential districts despite existing across Birmingham. The city views ADUs as a tool to expand housing options, improve affordability, and foster gradual growth while preserving neighborhood character.