Rutherford County discussing one-year data center moratorium
The Rutherford County Planning Commission voted to advance a public hearing on a proposed one-year moratorium covering the approval and construction of data centers. The proposal would limit facilities to 20,000 square feet and may be expanded to address electricity and water impacts.
The Rutherford County Planning Commission voted to move forward with a public hearing on a proposed one-year moratorium for data center approvals and construction in unincorporated Rutherford County. The hearing is scheduled at the courthouse in downtown Murfreesboro. County Planning Director Doug Demosi said the county had not received inquiries or applications for data centers.
The proposed resolution would limit data centers to 20,000 square feet and impose restrictions on computer systems, servers and data-storage systems, while excluding buildings where such equipment is secondary. District 21 Commissioner Laura Clark urged commissioners to include potential electrical and water impacts in the moratorium. The discussion also referenced Metro Nashville Council ordinances that restrict large data centers and facilities exceeding 500,000 square feet.