Clarksville planners, council signal support to ban data centers in town

Planning staff told the council that the town's current land-based classification standards do not meaningfully define or limit modern data centers and that developers have begun asking about smaller "data hub" projects. Staff outlined five options: do nothing, prohibit data centers via zoning, regulate them (size/height/location), prohibit via the general ordinance, or impose a temporary moratorium to study and draft rules.

Planning staff (Neil) said the Planning Commission reviewed the matter and favored action; a zoning-based prohibition was the most commonly cited preference among commissioners. Several council members said Clarksville's small footprint and nine square miles make it unsuitable for very large facilities and voiced concerns that data centers could strain electric and water infrastructure and raise energy costs for residents.

"There is no limit. There's no threshold," the planning presenter said, noting that some nearby communities have already adopted moratoria or bans. Council member S6 said he would "totally ban them in the town of Clarksville" citing local size constraints and potential impacts on residents' energy bills. Staff said a draft zoning ban is already prepared and can be routed to the Planning Commission (July 1) and council (July 7) if council desires. Staff recommended preparing draft ordinance language and asked for direction; councilors indicated majority support for a ban and for pursuing both zoning and general-ordinance changes as complementary protections.

If the council directs staff to proceed, any zoning amendment would follow the standard planning and public-notice process and could be appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals; staff noted that pairing a zoning ban with a general-ordinance prohibition could reduce potential loopholes and strengthen enforcement.