Judge dismisses DC BLOX lawsuit for now, leaves path to refile claims over data center
A federal judge dismissed DC BLOX's lawsuit against Metro Nashville, but allowed the company 21 days to amend and refile some claims. The ruling leaves unresolved whether the city can apply its temporary data-center moratorium and new zoning rules to DC BLOX's proposed facility near the Nashville Zoo.
U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson dismissed all nine claims in DC BLOX's lawsuit against Metro Nashville over a proposed data center at Grassmere Park Drive near the Nashville Zoo. The judge found that several claims were unclear and dismissed the company's comparison with developer RadiusDC, while allowing DC BLOX 21 days to amend portions of the case.
The ruling did not determine whether DC BLOX's permits had vested before Metro adopted new data-center zoning regulations and a temporary moratorium. Richardson sent the company's state-law zoning claims to Tennessee courts and said DC BLOX could potentially refile or pursue further relief. Metro's moratorium is scheduled to expire Dec. 1.