Could Blount County put new housing developments, data centers on hold?
The Blount County Commission is scheduled to consider a one-year moratorium on AI data centers, cryptocurrency mines and similar facilities in unincorporated areas. The proposal would also require a planning and development impact study before the county considers new zoning and application requirements.
The Blount County Commission is scheduled to vote on Resolution 26-10-014, which would halt new AI data centers, cryptocurrency mines, advanced computing facilities and blockchain computing centers in unincorporated Blount County for one year. Commissioners could extend the pause for another year or end it early if new zoning regulations address infrastructure and land-use concerns.
The resolution would direct the Blount County Planning Department and Development Services Department to conduct a public impact study and later recommend changes to zoning and development requirements. The proposal comes amid regional growth and local opposition to AI data centers, including a Blount Partnership statement and the county commission’s approval of a plan to purchase a 160-acre Alcoa site to prevent a large data center from being built. The City of Alcoa and City of Maryville are being encouraged to consider similar moratoriums.