Council members weigh in following data center backlash in Marietta
Hundreds of protesters attended a Marietta City Council meeting to oppose data centers and call for a moratorium after a property on Bells Ferry Road was rezoned for a proposed data center a year prior. City council members weighed in on the community's concerns, with some open to discussing a "pause" or moratorium while others emphasized existing due diligence and economic benefits.
Hundreds of residents in Marietta, Georgia, recently protested against data center developments at a City Council meeting, calling for a moratorium on further projects. The demonstration followed a June 2025 rezoning approval for a proposed data center on Bells Ferry Road, though no construction or permit applications have yet commenced. Concerns raised by citizens included environmental impacts, infrastructure demands, noise, traffic, and transparency regarding previous council decisions.
Mayor Pro Tem Andre Sims, representing the ward with the contested property, acknowledged the healthy public engagement, noting that the zoning for the data center was approved a year ago after public town halls. Councilman Jason Waters, who was not on the council for the initial zoning decision, expressed appreciation for citizen participation and acknowledged the widespread concerns about data centers' effects on neighborhoods and utilities. He stated he is open to discussing any policy option, including a moratorium, if it helps make informed long-term decisions.
Councilman Carlyle Kent, who was part of the earlier zoning decision, defended the council's due diligence, viewing data centers from a business standpoint. He mentioned Marietta Power's role in a College Park data center's transfer station and expressed a desire to observe that project's operation before considering a "pause" in Marietta. Kent also highlighted the essential role of data centers for modern technology. Councilman Tee Anderson, new to the council, admitted needing more information before deciding on a moratorium, while Mayor Steve Tumlin and other council members did not provide comments by press time.