City Council votes down 18-month data center moratorium, adopts substitute | ABC24 This Week
The Memphis City Council rejected an proposed 18-month moratorium on new data center development in a 6-6 vote, which failed because seven votes were required. Instead, the council approved a 135-day pause while it develops longer-term data center zoning regulations, though some residents and commentators said the substitute was rushed and may not prevent applications under existing rules.
The Memphis City Council voted down an 18-month moratorium on new data center development after a 6-6 vote fell short of the seven votes needed for approval. Council members instead adopted a substitute ordinance imposing a 135-day pause while the city works on long-term zoning regulations and schedules public discussion sessions about data center proposals.
The meeting drew extensive public comment and became contentious when members and attendees learned that the substitute ordinance had not gone through a full third reading. Analysts Tawan and Catherine described confusion over the last-minute measure, while Otis criticized the absence of Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper Sutton, whose presence could have supplied the vote needed for the longer moratorium. Critics also questioned whether Tennessee Senate Bill 1313 means developers who submit applications during the pause will remain subject to existing rules rather than future regulations.