Franklin Considers Zoning Changes For Data Centers And First Avenue
Franklin, Tennessee officials are considering significant zoning changes that would impose a quarter-mile residential buffer for data centers and tighten siting rules. The proposed ordinance would limit data centers to light-industrial districts. City staff will revise the draft before formal hearings later this summer.
Franklin, Tennessee city officials are currently reviewing and refining proposed zoning changes aimed at regulating the placement of data centers and updating design rules for the First Avenue District.
During a recent workshop, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Franklin Municipal Planning Commission discussed a draft ordinance. This proposal would restrict data centers to light-industrial zones and mandate at least a quarter-mile buffer from residential neighborhoods, a stricter requirement than the current 500-foot setback from arterial streets. The debate also included updates to commercial uses and triggers for development-plan reviews, as reported by the Williamson Herald.
Discussions also focused on the First Avenue District, particularly concerning updated parking rules within the city's fire and flood district. Officials are scrutinizing whether to allow vehicles in the floodway, alongside tightening architectural standards for buildings. City staff will now revise the ordinance language and maps for formal hearings later this summer, balancing neighborhood character, floodplain limits, and business flexibility.
The city's proactive measures come amidst broader regional conversations about data center siting, including a high-profile case in Nashville that has generated public outcry and legal challenges, influencing Franklin's approach to crafting its own safeguards.