Nashvillians support data center regulations at another marathon public hearing
Nashville's Metro Council held a marathon public hearing where over 170 residents voiced strong opposition to data center development. Several bills passed their second of three votes, including ones to establish zoning rules, ban large data centers, create buffer zones, and implement a temporary moratorium on new permits. Mayor O'Connell also filed legislation to condemn property near the Nashville Zoo where DC Blox plans a facility, leading to a public dispute with the company.
The Nashville Metro Council held a lengthy public hearing where over 170 residents spoke out against data center development, highlighting concerns about noise, emissions, and strain on the power grid. This high turnout surpassed even the council's annual budget hearing.
Two linked bills (BL2026-1391 and BL2026-1392), sponsored by Council member Rollin Horton and others, aim to establish new zoning rules for data centers, including a ban on the largest facilities and buffer zones near sensitive areas like schools and hospitals. A third bill (BL2026-1448), sponsored by Council member Courtney Johnston, proposes a temporary moratorium on data center permits until the new zoning regulations are in place. All three bills successfully passed their second of three required votes and are expected to be considered for amendments at the July 21 Metro Council meeting.
Mayor Freddie O'Connell, who supports the proposals, also filed separate legislation to initiate the condemnation of land next to the Nashville Zoo, where DC Blox plans to construct a data center. This legislation passed its first reading despite an objection from Council member Joy Styles. The mayor's office and Nashville Zoo leadership subsequently disputed DC Blox's characterization of "collaborative talks," with the mayor calling DC Blox's statement "inaccurate, wishful thinking" and asserting Metro's intent to acquire the land.
The public interest in data center regulation has intensified following announcements of the DC Blox project and a separate proposed data center at Fisk University, though Mayor O'Connell differentiated the two, praising Fisk's stated commitment to "do no harm" while criticizing DC Blox.