Alabama county officials call for broader zoning conversation amid data center pushback
Across Alabama, communities are pushing back against data center developments, leading to cities updating zoning rules and some counties enacting moratoriums. The Association of County Commissions of Alabama is calling for a wider conversation on the issue, noting concerns about electricity costs and limited county authority over development in unincorporated areas.
Across Alabama, resistance to data center construction is growing, prompting cities to revise zoning regulations and some counties to implement moratoriums. The Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) is urging a comprehensive discussion on the matter, highlighting community worries regarding increased electricity costs and land use.
Sonny Brasfield, a representative from the ACCA, explained that county governments in Alabama have limited control over development in unincorporated areas, with over 60 of the 67 counties lacking specific authority to regulate landowners. The ACCA passed a resolution opposing special zoning powers for any single industry.
Brasfield stated that much of the opposition stems from the perception that data centers lead to higher utility and electricity costs for residents. He emphasized that counties, operating under powers granted by the state legislature, face potential constitutional issues if they were to directly block data center developments, as they currently lack the legal framework to do so.