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Residents urge Blount County to prepare zoning and resource limits as concerns grow over potential AI data centers
Summary
Dozens of residents used the May 21 public-comment period to press the Blount County Commission to consider zoning limits, water and power caps, and environmental safeguards before any AI-scale data-center proposals arrive; the chair said the county attorney will review other counties' actions and the county’s zoning authority.
At the close of the Blount County Board of Commissioners’ May 21 meeting, an extended public‑comment period focused overwhelmingly on potential large-scale AI/data centers and their local impacts.
Multiple residents told the commission they are worried about resource use, noise, light and air pollution, traffic, road damage from heavy construction, and declines in property values if large data centers are sited nearby. Brian Thompson (District 3) and others cited the former Alcoa South Plant as a likely target because of its acreage and proximity to high‑voltage transmission lines. Wendy Cruz said large facilities can consume "as much power as a 100,000 homes" and "5 million gallons of water daily," and warned residents could face higher utility rates and water competition with agriculture. Joshua Shelton and others urged county leaders to act now to limit the footprint or pace of such development where the county has authority.
Several speakers asked the commission to consider enforceable limits and monitoring for electric and water use, to evaluate air-quality and noise impacts, and to ensure transparency from potential developers. Amanda Galbra (District 2) said the absence of an active proposal is an opportunity to craft zoning rules now; Chair echoed that point and said he has asked the county attorney to review other counties' resolutions and to advise whether Blount County should strengthen zoning regulations.
Other public commenters raised separate concerns, including alleged corruption and public-records denials in Lewisville (Anna Gibson) and local road-safety and capacity problems on Morton Road and Pellissippi Parkway (Linda Gentry). Those allegations and concerns were made during public comment; no formal investigation or agency response was recorded in the meeting.
Why it matters: AI-scale data centers are capital‑intensive facilities that can alter local utilities, land uses and infrastructure demands. Residents asked the county to plan proactively rather than react to developer proposals.
What the commission said: Chair stated the county has planning authority only in unincorporated areas and is not aware of any proposed data centers within that jurisdiction; he said the county attorney will review whether zoning changes are advisable and that the staff will provide information to commissioners.
Next steps: The county attorney’s review, and any planning or zoning response that follows, will determine whether Blount County pursues restrictions or monitoring requirements; several upcoming public hearings and committee meetings were announced by the clerk.
