Smithville makes preemptive move to regulate data centers
The Smithville Board of Aldermen has enacted a temporary 18-month moratorium on new data center and cryptocurrency mining operations within the city limits. This measure allows the city time to study the impacts of these technologies, including high energy and water consumption, noise, and e-waste, and to draft comprehensive zoning amendments. A public hearing and final vote on the ordinance are scheduled for August 3rd.
The City of Smithville, Tennessee, through its Board of Aldermen, has taken a preemptive step to address the proliferation of AI data centers and Bitcoin mining operations by imposing a temporary 18-month moratorium. This decision, made during a special-called meeting last Wednesday, halts the acceptance, processing, and approval of all related applications for building permits, zoning certificates, site plans, variances, and special exceptions within city limits.
According to Smithville City Attorney Vester Parsley, the moratorium is intended to provide the city with sufficient time to understand the implications of these high-density computing facilities, which are known for their significant power and water consumption, noise pollution, and electronic waste generation. This move aligns Smithville with other area communities, such as McMinnville, that are also grappling with how to regulate such developments.
The ordinance explicitly states its purpose: to allow the Smithville Planning Commission, Codes Enforcement, and the Board of Aldermen to study the impacts, draft comprehensive zoning amendments, and conduct public hearings without pressure from pending applications that could establish non-conforming uses. The Board reserves the right to extend the moratorium if needed. A second and final reading of the ordinance, following a public hearing, is scheduled for Monday, August 3, at 6 p.m. at City Hall.