Gallatin City Council discusses industrial rezoning, data center moratorium

The Gallatin City Council convened to discuss significant land-use matters, including a proposed moratorium on data centers and the redefinition of approximately 255 acres for industrial development. City Planner Brian Rose presented the redefinition, which aims to change land near Bright Lane and Roundtree Drive, previously annexed into the city and close to Meta's current location, to a "General Urban Character" to facilitate industrial purposes.

Councilman Pascal Jouvence raised concerns that the "General Urban" definition might be too vague and not sufficiently restrict development to industrial use, advocating for a more specific industrial character area. Despite his opposition, the proposed redefinition advanced to the next council meeting with a 6-1 vote. Separately, City Attorney Susan High-McAuley presented her research on a potential data center moratorium, suggesting it would be a zoning amendment requiring a resolution and review by the Planning Commission. Mayor Paige Brown noted that no new data center applications were pending and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was not currently prepared to provide electric service to such facilities. Councilman Jouvence's motion to advance the proposed data center moratorium to the council passed unanimously.

Additionally, the council discussed a proposed annexation of nearly 30 acres vital for connecting State Route 109 to the Meadows project, with a request to begin the annexation process scheduled for the next council agenda.