Athens tackles future with data center zoning change

Athens, Alabama city leaders have taken proactive steps to regulate data center development by unanimously amending the city's zoning ordinance. The change classifies data centers as a "conditional use" within the city's industrial park, requiring prospective companies to obtain special permits and undergo a public input process. Councilperson Amy Golden emphasized the proactive nature of the amendment, stating it ensures any future data centers meet specific criteria and address potential environmental, health, and noise concerns. Mayor Ronnie Marks confirmed the city currently lacks the 75 to 200 acres typically required for a large-scale data center, with its industrial park only totaling about 40 acres. The initiative stems from weeks of public speculation and numerous constituent calls, aiming to create a legal framework that aligns Athens with other regional cities and guarantees residents a voice in land-use decisions, even though no immediate data center project is anticipated due to space constraints.