Athens City Council passes zoning ordinance amendment limiting potential data center locations in municipality

The Athens City Council, on Monday evening, approved an amendment to the city's zoning ordinance, proactively restricting the locations where data centers can be built in Athens, Alabama. City planner Erin Tidwell explained that data centers would now be defined as a conditional use exclusively within heavy industrial districts. This action was taken to address community concerns, as older zoning codes often do not explicitly define data centers and their unique operational characteristics, such as high electricity and water usage, noise production, and low employment density. Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks clarified during the meeting that no data center projects are currently planned or under discussion for the city, emphasizing the council's intention to be proactive in safeguarding the community's interests.