Data center rezoning vote postponed as city works to amend zoning ordinance
Jackson, Mississippi, has postponed a rezoning request from Saxum Investment Group LLC for a potential data center site. City officials are working to amend the city's zoning ordinance to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for data centers before voting on specific applications. A previously proposed temporary moratorium on data centers was tabled for procedural reasons.
The City of Jackson, Mississippi, has postponed a rezoning request from Saxum Investment Group LLC concerning 190 acres in Northwest Jackson, which is being eyed as a potential site for the city's first data center. Zoning Administrator Ester Ainsworth indicated that a vote on the rezoning would be unfair to both the applicant and the community without new, definitive zoning regulations in place to guide future data center developments.
Attorney Robert Ireland, representing Saxum, initially requested the postponement of his client's appearance before the Planning Board until new zoning regulations were anticipated. This decision follows the Jackson City Council's earlier move to table a temporary moratorium on data centers, based on advice from the City Attorney's Office regarding advertising and public hearing requirements for such ordinances.
Council President Brian Grizzell had introduced the moratorium due to concerns about data centers' impact on the city's aging infrastructure. Instead of the moratorium, the council will now hold a public hearing on June 22 to discuss amending the city's zoning ordinance to include a regulatory framework for evaluating data centers. Deputy City Attorney Carrie Johnson highlighted key areas for the new ordinance, including location, noise, utility usage, water, and storm drainage. Council Vice President Vernon Hartley also emphasized the need for a tailored approach, suggesting the city build its own template rather than relying solely on online resources and submitting a list of about 20 environmental concerns for consideration.