Zoning & Land Use

Troy Planning Commission voted 5-0 to extend the city's data center moratorium, which was initially enacted in March for six months. The extension, pending city council approval later this month, would continue the moratorium until next March to allow monitoring of state legislative action on data center incentives.

The Troy Times Tribune · Mississippi

A Jefferson County Circuit Court judge consolidated three lawsuits against Birmingham involving the proposed Nebius AI data center, citing shared legal issues and efficiency. The cases, filed by the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, nearby residents Robert and Gail Sansome, and a class-action suit, address zoning, permits and construction impacts including noise and dust.

WVTM · Jefferson Co., AL

Fort Pierce's planning board delayed a decision on a proposal to rezone 200 acres near I-95 and Midway Road for a data center and commercial development, requesting further research while residents expressed mixed views on the project.

WPBF · Florida

Two Planning Board members resigned from Effingham County's advisory board this summer, citing transparency concerns related to a proposed OpenAI data center project. One member said he learned of the project through vacation phone calls rather than official county communication, raising questions about whether board members had adequate information to fulfill their advisory role on zoning and development matters.

Effingham Herald · Effingham Co., GA

Attorneys in three lawsuits challenging a proposed Nebius AI data center in Birmingham requested consolidation of discovery proceedings during a Wednesday hearing. The cases, filed by neighboring residents and the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, dispute the project's permitting and zoning while raising concerns about noise, dust, vibrations, and resource consumption.

WVTM · Jefferson Co., AL

The Brookwood City Council voted unanimously to annex and rezone the final land parcel needed for Youngwoo & Associates' planned data center campus, completing zoning approval for one of three separate data center projects proposed along the town's industrial corridor.

Tuscaloosa Thread · Tuscaloosa Co., AL

Orange County commissioners advanced a plan for a 6- to 18-month moratorium on data center development, with staff to draft a formal ordinance for a vote. The move follows similar actions by other municipalities nationwide amid concerns over large-scale data centers' environmental and quality-of-life impacts.

Orlando Weekly · Florida

Orange County commissioners agreed Tuesday they will likely impose a temporary moratorium on large data centers, joining more than a dozen other Florida governments in pausing such development. Commissioners expressed concerns about the facilities' massive consumption of water and electricity, as well as noise pollution from cooling systems.

Orlando Sentinel · Florida

Headline onlytcpalm.com · Florida · also at Yahoo

Orange County commissioners expressed support for a temporary moratorium on new data centers to allow time for developing regulations, with Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad advocating for at least a one-year pause. The board could vote on the proposal Dec. 1, citing concerns over the lack of current zoning rules and potential impacts on water, electricity, and noise.

floridapolitics.com · Florida

Leon County commissioners unanimously approved an 18-month moratorium on large-scale data center applications to develop regulations addressing these facilities' potential impacts on water, electricity and infrastructure before projects arrive.

wtwcfox · Leon Co., FL

Headline onlyMississippi Today · Mississippi · also at DeSoto County News, WJTV, WJTV

Montgomery County proposed zoning updates that would require data centers to obtain approval for resource plans addressing water, electricity and noise, and restrict them to industrial zones. The measures follow Google's 2019 data center opening and anticipated future interest in the area.

Clarksville Now · Montgomery Co. (TN), TN

Gallatin city leaders advanced two six-month moratoriums on apartment and data center construction at Tuesday's council meeting, shortened from the originally proposed one-year terms. Both ordinances will return for a second reading at the council's next meeting.

News Channel 5 Nashville · Sumner Co., TN

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

Communities across the country are blocking AI data centers through local moratoriums, zoning rejections, and ballot measures, with over 500 local measures passed nationwide. New York became the first state to pass a statewide moratorium in 2026, and federal legislation for a nationwide moratorium now has 14 House cosponsors.

Food & Water Watch

The Marysville City Council unanimously adopted a 12-month moratorium on data centers Monday. The ordinance pauses new data center development applications while the Planning Commission and city staff review zoning regulations and address stakeholder concerns.

The Marysville Advocate

The Brookwood City Council unanimously approved rezoning for a proposed three-data-center project despite resident concerns about power demand, noise, environmental impacts, and proximity to the middle school. Additional approval steps are required before construction can begin.

WVUA 23

The Brookwood City Council unanimously approved a rezoning request for a proposed data center site despite resident concerns about power demand, noise, environmental impact, and proximity to a middle school. Additional approvals are required before construction can begin.

WVUA 23

Headline onlyWVUA 23

Byron Donalds and David Jolly are proposing competing strategies to address Florida's home insurance crisis and regulate artificial intelligence technology in the governor's race. Donalds backs insurance report cards and catastrophe fund reductions, while Jolly advocates expanding the fund and taxing insurance profits to lower costs; the candidates also diverge on AI data centers, with Jolly opposing them entirely and Donalds proposing state protections.

Yahoo · Florida

Inver Grove Heights amended its data center moratorium Monday to allow Florida-based developer QLevr to proceed with a 54,000-square-foot facility, averting a lawsuit seeking over $150 million in damages. The council voted 3-1 to exclude QLevr's application from the interim moratorium after the company challenged the ordinance in court.

Pioneer Press · Florida

Orange County commissioners plan to address data center development, which lacks specific county regulations despite potential impacts on water and energy resources. Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad has recommended at least a one-year moratorium to study the facilities' effects before considering any applications.

Orlando Sentinel · Florida

Edgewater's City Council unanimously approved a permanent ban on artificial intelligence data centers, effective immediately, with a November ballot measure to place the prohibition in the city charter. City officials said the move protects residents from potential impacts of large AI data centers and prevents developers from submitting proposals before voters decide.

FOX 35 Orlando · Volusia Co., FL

The Alachua Planning and Zoning Commission passed a 12-month moratorium on data centers Tuesday night. Officials said no current data center projects are being discussed in the county, and clarified that a parcel central to discussions is outside county jurisdiction.

wcjb.com · Florida · also at wcjb.com

Several western North Carolina counties and municipalities have adopted temporary moratoriums on data center development while evaluating potential impacts, while Brevard has implemented permanent zoning regulations instead. Rutherford County is home to an existing Meta data center that opened in 2010.

WLOS · Walton Co., GA · also at WLOS

Byron's City Council approved a comprehensive data center ordinance establishing stricter guidelines for potential facilities despite resident opposition. A moratorium on data centers was also extended, though the mayor stated no confirmed project exists for the former Boy Scout camp site.

WGXA · Georgia

Augusta Commission members heard public comment Tuesday on a proposed data center ordinance that would regulate where such facilities can be located and establish operational requirements including noise, lighting, and cooling standards. The ordinance would exclude residential and agricultural zones and exempt a QTS data center already under construction, but residents urged commissioners to strengthen environmental standards, enforcement language, and procedural compliance before voting.

wrdw.com · Richmond Co., GA

OpenAI is advancing plans for a massive data center campus in Effingham County, Georgia, prompting state regulators and environmental advocates to urge residents to push for stronger regulations governing water use, electricity, noise, air quality, and community benefits. The project, contracted for 3.2 gigawatts of power from 2028 through 2032, includes a promised $80 million in community benefits.

Effingham Herald · Effingham Co., GA

A Memphis City Council member delayed a vote on a proposed one-year ban on new data centers until October 6, saying he would amend the ordinance to address fellow council members' suggestions while focusing on hyperscale facilities.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN · also at Daily Memphian

Headline only13WMAZ

Orange County commissioners will discuss a temporary moratorium on hyperscale data center construction Tuesday, following similar moves by dozens of Florida municipalities. Commissioner Kelly Semrad requested the discussion after constituents expressed concerns about AI data centers' impacts on noise, energy, water consumption, and property values.

Orlando Weekly · Orange Co. (FL), FL

Quiet Communities and Science for Georgia released findings from a national survey on noise pollution from data centers and cryptomining facilities. The study of 103 residents across 11 states found over 76% of respondents living more than half a mile away could still hear noise inside their homes, with sound levels exceeding 80 dBA comparable to factory floors.

GlobeNewswire · Georgia

The Memphis City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a proposed 12-month moratorium that would halt zoning and building permits for large-scale data centers. The measure aims to give city officials time to study the facilities' demands on the power grid, water supplies, and communities, though competing proposals suggest alternative approaches including permanent zoning guidelines and environmental regulations.

Action News 5 · Shelby Co., TN · also at Action News 5

Foley's City Council has approved a six-month moratorium on data center applications while the city develops regulations to address potential impacts on water, noise and electrical use. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said no facilities have been proposed, but the moratorium allows officials to prepare guidelines for any future applications.

fox10tv.com · Alabama

The Foley City Council approved a six-month moratorium on data center construction to review regulations and prepare ordinances addressing water use, noise and air pollution concerns. The moratorium also covers cryptocurrency mining facilities and server farms.

1819 News · Alabama

A Birmingham resident is suing the Industrial Development Board, its chairman, and AI company Nebius over $3.2 billion in tax abatements for a data center project, claiming the approval process violated the Open Meetings Act and that the board lacked authority to grant the breaks.

al.com · Jefferson Co., AL

The Escambia County Commission declined Thursday to establish a data center moratorium, affirming that data centers are already banned in unincorporated county areas under existing land development code and a previously approved ordinance.

NorthEscambia.com · Florida

Chatham County commissioners approved a 155-day moratorium on large data centers of 10 megawatts or larger in unincorporated areas, making it the third Coastal Georgia county to enact such a ban. The county will study conditions for data center development while prioritizing public health and safety during the pause period.

thecurrentga.org · Chatham Co., GA

Walker County's data center study group recommended limiting large data center development to industrial parks with industrial zoning only. The committee also suggested impact studies on pollution, water and electricity use, and proposed generator restrictions and buffer zone requirements.

Local 3 News