Public hearing on data center legislation set for Metro Planning Commission
Nashville's Metro Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on proposed legislation to regulate data center construction, specifically targeting a large project near the Nashville Zoo. The bill, BL2026-1391, would prohibit data centers over 500,000 square feet, enforce buffer zones from residential areas, and mandate closed-loop water systems. This initiative follows significant public backlash against a proposed DC BLOX data center, which critics argue poses environmental risks and could impact local property values and utility costs.
The Nashville Metro Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing this Thursday on proposed legislation aimed at regulating data center development within the city. Introduced by District 20 Council Member Rollin Horton, bill BL2026-1391 seeks to amend the Metro Zoning Code by prohibiting data centers larger than 500,000 square feet and establishing significant buffer zones, requiring them to be at least half a mile from homes, schools, and zoos. It also mandates the use of "closed-loop" water cooling systems to prevent the release of used water into the public supply.
This legislative effort stems from widespread opposition to a previously proposed data center project by DC BLOX, intended for a site directly behind the Nashville Zoo. The proposal ignited a grassroots campaign and a petition, which has garnered over 300,000 signatures, driven by concerns about environmental impact, potential increases in electricity costs, grid instability, and effects on property values in South Nashville, particularly in diverse communities. Opponents like Drew Small, who runs the "No New Data Centers" social media account, highlight worries about wildlife, heat islands, and the perceived benefits for developers from tax credits.
At the state level, new legislation signed by Gov. Bill Lee requires data centers with a peak demand of 50 megawatts or more within their first three years to fund their own electricity infrastructure. However, according to Small, DC BLOX's permits were strategically designed to develop the project in phases below the 50MW threshold to bypass this requirement. The Metro Planning Commission plans to hold the public hearing and then defer further consideration of the bill until a later meeting on June 25.