Little Rock official will propose 18-month halt on permits for planned Google data center, other ‘hyperscale’ facilities
A Little Rock City Director is proposing an 18-month moratorium on permitting for "hyperscale" data centers, including a planned Google facility at the Port of Little Rock. The ordinance is expected to be considered by the city board next week. The City Attorney has expressed concerns about potential legal challenges from Google, citing the possibility of a "regulatory taking" claim.
City Director Kathy Webb of Ward 3 in Little Rock is proposing an 18-month moratorium on permitting for "hyperscale" data centers, a move that would directly impact a planned Google facility at the Port of Little Rock. The proposed ordinance, which defines hyperscale facilities as those over 250,000 square feet or drawing over 75 megawatts, is slated for a vote by the Little Rock Board of Directors next week.
The moratorium would temporarily halt the issuance of permits, site plan approvals, and other municipal authorizations for new or expanded hyperscale data centers. During this period, the city would be mandated to hold bi-annual public hearings, gather comprehensive studies on projected water and electricity consumption, noise impact, and make all related records publicly accessible. This proposal follows an earlier, shorter six-month moratorium request by Webb and City Director Capi Peck that explicitly exempted Google's project.
Little Rock City Attorney Tom Carpenter has expressed legal concerns regarding the 18-month moratorium, particularly as the city previously approved the sale of land and rezoned it for Google's data center in 2025. Carpenter warned the board that if Google could demonstrate a "regulatory taking" of property, the city might be liable for damages. City Director Lance Hines also questioned the length of the proposed moratorium, noting Carpenter's historical preference for shorter durations due to potential legal liabilities. The article also briefly notes other data center developments in Arkansas, including a Google campus in West Memphis and a recently rejected moratorium in Pulaski County related to AVAIO Digital Partners.