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Article by Olivia Lupia, Tennessee Conservative News –
Coffee and Montgomery Counties both just voted to adopt new zoning regulations which would apply to any future data center developments to ensure their farmland and communities are preserved.
Coffee County Commissioners unanimously voted 16-0 to close a zoning gap which could have allowed large-scale digital facilities like data centers and crypto mines to be built on agricultural land.
The commissioners reportedly were aiming to steer any future data center development away from farmland and towards a smaller industrial area that had already been designated for quarries and adult businesses.
Under the new regulations, farming will stay in one zoning category while data centers will be directed to the narrow industrial zone instead of competing for land, especially as agriculture remains the county’s “top industry.”
An amendment which was also approved enacts additional restrictions including further setbacks, building height limits, noise maximums, and impact reports for utilities and the environment.
The county has had a data center moratorium in place since June to give officials time to develop further regulations, though it seems there will not be a long-term moratorium or outright ban.
Planning Chairman Steve Cunningham addressed questions about why there likely won’t be a ban, saying, “If it’s a legal use, the worst situation you can have is to ban something because that is going to open up a lawsuit. What we are trying to do is regulate them to the best of our ability. And to be honest, we would like to see [data centers] go somewhere else.”
County Attorney Mark Williams added, “We can’t make a zoning regulation so impossible that it excludes any lawful business, but we can certainly make it where they have to comply with reasonable rules and regulations.”
Across the state in a 17-4 vote, the Montgomery County Commission also approved tight restrictions on any future data center developments proposed by the Regional Planning Committee, which will now review the amended and approved zoning updates before they return to the commission next month.
The resolution would add community protections as data centers have not yet been specifically addressed in city or county zoning laws.
It includes seven items future data center applicants must follow to obtain approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals including minimum and maximum property size, required setbacks, a noise plan, written confirmation that water and electricity can be supplied from local providers, and responsibility by the applicant for all infrastructure improvements to receive utility services.
After discussion about the resolution, commissioners approved an amendment expanding the minimum setback requirement for residential properties from 100 feet to 500 feet. Commissioner Joshua Beal initially proposed 1,000 feet, and 500 feet was the compromise after back and forth between members.
Beal also expressed concern about light pollution, which is not covered in the resolution, but the commission did not make any further amendments, though further restrictions may come in the future.
“These are definitely stopgaps, but can it be adjusted for individual concerns, studies and opinions others have found doing their research in the last two weeks and hearing from their constituents, absolutely,” said Regional Planning Commission Director Jeff Tyndall. “This is honestly the first I’m hearing about light (pollution), so we’ll look into that further.”
Tyndall also noted that if the restrictions are well received, the Planning Commission will present something similar to the Clarksville City Council for their consideration.
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About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
