Data center proposal near Nashville Zoo includes second building three times larger than first
DC Blox plans an expanded data center campus near the Nashville Zoo, including a second building three times larger than the first. This proposal has sparked significant public opposition, with over 360,000 people signing a petition, and the Nashville Zoo has filed a zoning appeal to overturn existing permits. In response, the Metro Nashville Council is considering new data center-specific zoning rules and an emergency bill to enact a temporary moratorium on development.
An Atlanta-based company, DC Blox, is proposing to build a significantly expanded data center campus adjacent to the Nashville Zoo, with new documents revealing plans for a second three-story, 202,000 sq. ft., 40-megawatt facility in addition to a one-story, 69,000 sq. ft., 10-megawatt data center. Each building would include its own generator yard, a power substation, and a guard house.
The proposal has ignited strong community backlash, with over 360,000 people signing a petition against the project due to concerns about noise and potential air and water pollution. Robert Vischer, a neighbor, expressed concerns about the lack of specific zoning for data centers in the area. In response, the Nashville Zoo's land use attorney has filed a zoning appeal with the city to overturn DC Blox's existing permits and prevent further approvals, urging the public to contact Metro Nashville Council Members and the Mayor.
Currently, Nashville lacks specific zoning categories for data centers, allowing them in any commercial or industrial zone. To address this, the Metro Nashville Council is considering a new proposal to create the city's first-ever data center zoning rules, which would impose limits on resource usage, location, and operations. This proposal has passed its first reading and is now referred to the Metro Planning Commission.
Amid concerns that new zoning rules could take months to implement, an emergency bill was filed to halt all data center development in Metro Nashville until November. DC Blox stated its commitment to minimizing environmental impact through features like a closed-loop cooling design and adhering to noise restrictions, while also seeking meetings with community and local officials to discuss the project's benefits.