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Athens-Clarke County extends moratorium on new data centers after weeks of public concern
Summary
The commission extended a temporary moratorium on new data centers and held a proposed text amendment after more than a dozen residents urged stronger energy, water and equity safeguards, including required energy audits and community benefit agreements.
The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission voted March 3 to extend a temporary moratorium on the establishment of new data centers while planning staff and commissioners consider additional protections, following lengthy public comment from residents and environmental advocates.
The action, taken under a suspension of rules as item 20 on the agenda, follows the commission’s decision to hold a separate proposed text amendment (item 13) for one month and send it back to the planning commission with direction. Attorney Drake read the ordinance extending the moratorium before the commission voted in favor by voice.
Residents and community groups told the commission they want stronger language in any ordinance that governs data centers. Dr. Maddox said, “No more data centers in our black and working-class neighborhoods,” arguing such facilities have produced high energy bills, strained water supplies and left vacant buildings when operators leave. Olivia Asher told commissioners she supports holding the item and asked for requirements that data centers undergo energy-use auditing and that community benefit agreements be considered.
Speakers emphasized equity and environmental impacts. Gail Chimo said data centers do not align with Athens-Clarke County’s clean and renewable energy plan and urged language requiring renewable energy sourcing and planning for decommissioned sites. Summer Blanco praised the planning commission’s recommendation to require special-use permits for all data centers, a step she called “a huge win,” but said more time is needed to research auditing and water impacts.
Commissioners said they want staff to gather technical and legal guidance before returning with recommended ordinance language. Commissioner Link asked staff to help identify whether utility companies or other entities could place data centers “by right” without local notification and specifically requested guidance on options for mandatory reporting and energy audits. Commissioner Thornton and others cited recent community forums and utility data that revealed outstanding technical questions — for example, how cooling systems affect stormwater and groundwater.
The moratorium and hold give the planning commission time to refine the proposed amendment and for staff to collect technical evidence and legal options that would shape requirements such as auditing, renewable sourcing, community benefit agreements and clustering limits. The commission did not adopt any new energy-audit standards at the meeting; rather, it paused action while seeking further study.
The extension is temporary. The commission instructed staff to return with draft ordinance language and targeted questions for the planning commission; public hearings and additional meetings are expected before any final zoning changes are adopted.
