Knox County commissioners push to limit data centers before more arrive

Knox County commissioners are proactively moving to establish regulations for data centers to minimize potential impacts on residents. On May 18, the commission unanimously voted to ask the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission to research and propose a new zoning ordinance. This initiative is being led by commissioners Andy Fox, Angela Russell, and Adam Thompson, who seek to impose limits on data center power consumption (effectively capping their size), noise levels, aesthetic appearance, and placement of outdoor equipment.

The push for these regulations comes from a desire to address concerns about potential electricity and water rate increases for the community, as well as the visual and auditory impact of large data center facilities. Commissioner Fox emphasized the need for specific zoning provisions, arguing that existing industrial zones are not sufficient to protect residents from the effects of data centers. Erin Gill, a spokesperson for the Knoxville Utility Board, expressed the board's interest in participating in these discussions, stating that data centers should "pay their fair share" but also acknowledging they could potentially lower costs for other ratepayers by spreading fixed costs.

Initially, commissioners Fox, Russell, Thompson, and Rhonda Lee had outlined a specific set of regulations, but commissioners Terry Hill and Larsen Jay successfully proposed removing those specifics to allow the planning commission and its staff to start with a broader scope. The planning commission will now research appropriate limits and draft a new zoning ordinance, which would then require adoption by the county commission.