Athens-Clarke County considers new data-center rules as residents press to extend moratorium

Planning staff on Feb. 17 presented a package of text amendments that would add data centers to Athens‑Clarke County's industrial use table, require special-use approval for all data centers and tighten reporting and design standards for heavy industrial facilities.

The draft, introduced by Planning Director Bruce Lonnie, would slot data centers as a "level three" industrial use that must go before the mayor and commission as a special use, rather than being reviewed administratively. Lonnie said staff wants binding site plans, binding reports and conditions of approval to address on-site power generation, hazardous materials, cooling systems and water use. "Data centers are being slotted as a level three use in this proposal," Lonnie said, noting the goal is to bring predictability and public review to projects that can have large infrastructure demands.

Why it matters: Residents and some commissioners worry the scale and resource intensity of data centers — particularly their water, energy and backup-generator demands — could strain local utilities and affect vulnerable neighbors. Staff presented comparative examples to illustrate that a 5‑megawatt data center can be on the order of 60,000 sq. ft. and occupy 7–10 acres, and said the draft requires closed‑loop cooling to avoid evaporative systems that consume large amounts of water.

Public reaction was broad and largely skeptical. Dozens of residents and local advocates urged the commission to extend the moratorium on new data-center approvals (currently timed to expire March 6) to allow more study. "I urge the commission to pause before voting on the planning commission's recommendation to allow more time to study the full impact," said Sally Kunan, one of several speakers who asked for additional analysis of drought vulnerability, transmission capacity and decommissioning plans. Microsoft manager Lexi Torres, who identified herself as a security product leader, told commissioners "please take your time" and said large tech firms understand the resource constraints that municipalities must weigh.

Speakers representing community groups asked for a formal citizen oversight board, public reporting of energy use, and limits on nondisclosure agreements in development deals. Several commenters described door‑to‑door outreach in neighborhoods adjacent to a previously proposed Athena Studios site, saying some residents were unaware of prior proposals and worried about electricity bills and medical vulnerabilities.

Commissioners discussed options on extending the moratorium and what staff should do during any extension. Several members called for a 60– to 90‑day extension or for timing tied to state legislative action. Commissioners asked staff to return with a clear scope of work for the moratorium period and for planning‑commission follow‑up on data‑center‑specific special‑use criteria.

What happens next: Staff recommended returning with more detail and planning‑commission work; several commissioners signaled support for delaying final action until after additional study and public engagement. The mayor and commission have the option to remand the package back to the planning commission with specific questions or to vote on the amendments at a future meeting. No formal ordinance change or vote occurred at the Feb. 17 agenda‑setting session.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 470; topfinish SEG 1120

Speakers quoted: Bruce Lonnie (Planning Director), Sally Kunan (resident), Lexi Torres (Microsoft senior director).