Chamblee council approves data center development moratorium
The Chamblee City Council unanimously adopted a 180-day moratorium on new data center developments and applications. This pause will allow the council to review existing codes and consider revisions to address potential impacts. The moratorium is in effect until January 16, 2027.
The Chamblee City Council in Georgia unanimously voted at its July 21 meeting to enact a 180-day moratorium on new data center developments and the acceptance of related applications. The temporary suspension, championed by At-Large Councilmember Jimmy Furst, is designed to provide the council with sufficient time to review current city codes and consider necessary revisions. The goal is to establish new standards that address potential impacts of data centers on residents' health, safety, and welfare, specifically mentioning concerns about energy use, water resources, tree canopy, stormwater infrastructure, and noise.
The moratorium will remain in effect through January 16, 2027. Councilmember Furst emphasized the city's responsibility to plan ahead and ensure regulations evolve with emerging development types like data centers. He noted that DeKalb County had previously researched the issue, and he hopes Chamblee can utilize that research to avoid delays in developing its own standards.
The article also highlights similar actions taken by neighboring jurisdictions; DeKalb County's Board of Commissioners suspended data center development through March 30, 2027, and Milton in Fulton County adopted a 180-day moratorium on July 20. Chamblee City Manager Kristen Gorham stated that a comprehensive review would involve examining various tiers, sizes, capacities, and water usage levels to inform a robust data center ordinance.