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Athens‑Clarke County adopts temporary moratorium on new data centers after months of public concern
Summary
Following hours of public comment from residents, scientists and local organizations, the Athens‑Clarke County commission adopted a temporary moratorium on new data centers through March 2026 to give staff time to draft zoning rules addressing energy, water and community impacts.
Athens‑Clarke County commissioners on Dec. 2 adopted a temporary moratorium on establishing new data centers across the county, citing unresolved questions about resource demands and neighborhood impacts.
The measure, passed after packed public comment, pauses approvals while staff and the planning commission draft specific land‑use rules and placement criteria. Commissioner Link, who moved the ordinance, said the pause was overdue and will allow the county to “come up with a clear ordinance guiding any potential future data centers in our community.”
Residents and advocacy groups urged the pause. Isaac Johnson told commissioners that “a moratorium is not enough,” and asked officials to permanently prohibit data centers near residential areas. Scientists and environmental advocates cited concerns about electricity and water use, local noise and heat impacts, and the prospect that limited local employment might not offset infrastructure burdens.
Manager Cowell told the commission staff’s initial zoning interpretation is that a data center would be an industrial use requiring I‑zoning and that the Athena Studios site under review is not zoned for that use. Cowell said: “The Athena Studios property is not zoned in that manner, therefore, our conclusion is that it cannot go there under the current zoning.” He added that the applicant may appeal zoning interpretations, and that staff will bring a text amendment to define and regulate data centers.
The moratorium runs through the commission’s first Tuesday in March 2026, a timetable staff said should allow drafting of definitions and siting rules and time for public hearings before any new approvals. Commissioners did not ban existing facilities or retroactively change prior approvals; instead, they directed planning staff and attorneys to prepare ordinance language and to hold hearings before the moratorium expires.
Next steps: Planning staff will propose zoning text to define “data center,” designate appropriate zones and recommend operating, environmental‑monitoring and community‑benefit conditions. The planning commission will hold hearings on the proposed text before the mayor and commission consider final action.
