DeKalb extends data center moratorium through early 2027

DeKalb County commissioners approved a resolution on July 7 to extend a moratorium on new data center development until early 2027. The decision was made to allow county officials more time to study the industry's broad impacts, moving beyond solely zoning considerations to include input from various departments.

This extension follows the commission's rejection of proposed zoning and land-use regulations for data centers on June 23. Commissioners Mereda Davis Johnson and Robert Patrick sponsored the resolution, noting that comprehensive regulations require input from departments like Watershed Management, Public Safety, Transportation, Roads and Drainage, and Public Health to address water use, sewer capacity, and other operational impacts. Residents have voiced strong opposition, citing concerns over water and power consumption, environmental effects, and public health.

Commissioner Ted Terry, who cast the lone dissenting vote, criticized his colleagues for what he called "playing politics," arguing that after a year of debate, the decision to involve additional departments and rely on internal studies rather than independent outside analysis was ill-timed. The county is also currently reviewing a special land-use permit for a 2-million-square-foot facility in Ellenwood.