Committee advances late-file ordinance for countywide moratorium on data-center permits

The Metro Council Rules, Confirmations and Public Elections Committee on June 2 recommended advancing a late-file ordinance that would impose a temporary moratorium on acceptance, processing, approval and issuance of zoning, building or grading permits for data-center developments across Nashville and Davidson County.

Committee members said the moratorium was filed after a proposed data-center development triggered an “emergency” request; a speaker reported that the developer had pulled a demolition permit and additional permits on Friday, indicating construction activity was underway even as the legislation was prepared. The ordinance would pause permitting countywide from its effective date until either Nov. 2026 or until the separate data-center zoning bill on first reading is adopted, according to committee discussion.

Chair members emphasized the late-file nature of the ordinance and discussed vesting questions — whether already-pulled permits would allow the applicant to proceed under existing zoning. After debate, the committee voted to recommend the ordinance, with members recording six votes in favor and none opposed at the committee level.

The committee’s vote is a committee recommendation to the full council; final action on the moratorium requires a council vote. Supporters said the pause would give the council time to consider a separate zoning bill for data centers; opponents raised concern about retroactive effects for projects that had already pulled permits. The committee did not adopt detailed amendments during the meeting.

Next steps: the ordinance will be transmitted to the full Metro Council for consideration.