Rutherford County Planning Commission Unanimously Backs One-Year Moratorium on Data Centers
The Rutherford County Planning Commission unanimously recommended a one-year moratorium on new data center development to give officials time to create regulations for large facilities. The proposal is not yet law and will face a public hearing and vote by the Rutherford County Commission on Oct. 15, while residents continue to raise concerns about infrastructure, electricity, water use and environmental impacts.
The Rutherford County Planning Commission in Tennessee unanimously recommended a 12-month pause on accepting and processing new data center land-use applications. The proposed moratorium would apply across county zoning districts, including planned unit developments, and target facilities larger than 20,000 square feet while officials develop zoning requirements and other development standards.
The measure still requires approval from the Rutherford County Commission, which scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 15 at the Rutherford County Courthouse in Murfreesboro. Residents speaking at the planning meeting opposed what they described as rapid and potentially irresponsible growth, citing possible effects on infrastructure, the environment, electricity demand, water use and quality of life.