Memphis City Council rejects proposed data center moratorium
News ClipFOX13 Memphis·Memphis, Shelby County, TN·10/21/2026
The Memphis City Council rejected a proposed moratorium on data center development after a 6-6 vote failed to secure enough support. An angry crowd disrupted the meeting, prompting police and security to clear the chambers before the council adjourned.
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Gov: Memphis City Council, Memphis Police Department
The Memphis City Council voted 6-6 on a proposed data center moratorium, causing the measure to fail because it did not receive enough votes for passage. The decision took place before a packed and visibly hostile audience.
The council also attempted to consider a separate proposal updating development codes for data centers, but repeated disruptions prevented substantive action. Police and security cleared the chambers as protesters continued yelling, and the meeting was adjourned.