Meeting at capacity for data center vote
Hundreds of Memphis residents packed City Hall and gathered outside as the Memphis City Council considered a temporary pause on data center development. The meeting followed a federal judge's ruling allowing six people previously barred from council meetings to attend, while data center regulation proposals advanced toward a final reading.
Hundreds of residents filled the Memphis City Council chambers beyond the 407-person capacity, with additional attendees watching from outside. Many came to speak during public comment on a proposed data center moratorium and related regulations, reflecting strong community interest and opposition to the council's development decisions.
The meeting followed a federal judge's ruling that the council could not bar people from a public forum because of their views or restrict their speech. The ruling overturned a ban affecting six people, who were able to return to the meeting. The council had not yet voted on the proposed moratorium at the time of the report, while other data center regulation proposals were undergoing a third and final reading.