Data center moratorium fails after tie vote at Little Rock City Hall
An 18-month moratorium on data center development in Little Rock failed to pass after a tie vote (4-4) by the City Directors. This means Google's plans to build on 300 acres on the city's eastern edge can proceed with the permit process, despite community concerns about environmental impact, energy, and water usage. Opponents vow to continue pushing for new regulations.
A proposed 18-month moratorium on data center development in Little Rock, Arkansas, failed to pass after an equally divided 4-4 vote by the Little Rock Board of Directors. The vote followed hours of public comment at a packed City Hall, where community members voiced concerns over transparency, environmental impact, and the potential strain on energy and water resources.
The moratorium, proposed by Director Kathy Webb, aimed to pause development, specifically targeting Google's plans for a 300-acre data center on the eastern edge of the city. With the moratorium's rejection, Google and other potential data center companies are now cleared to proceed with the permit process in Little Rock. Placy County has also not passed a similar moratorium, allowing developers to move forward there as well.
Director Webb expressed disappointment but affirmed that this is "just the first step" for opponents. She indicated plans to return with proposals for additional regulations, including land use planning rules, and to address transparency issues, stating, "We will be back, so it's not over."