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Clinton council enacts six-month moratorium on data centers while staff researches zoning
Summary
The City Council approved a six-month moratorium on data center development to give staff time to research zoning definitions, potential locations and legal constraints after noting the city’s zoning currently lacks an explicit data-center definition.
Clinton — The Clinton City Council approved a six-month moratorium on data center development, directing staff to study zoning, code definitions and options for where such facilities could be permitted.
Council members raised concerns that the city’s zoning ordinance has no defined use category for data centers and that, under current code, data centers could only be considered in industrial zones (M1/M2). Staff noted that the city would need to draft a definition and an explicit permitting process or consider a moratorium while the work proceeds.
Council referenced a recent action by the Knox County Commission, which adopted a 12-month moratorium on data centers, and agreed a six-month pause in Clinton would provide adequate time for research and a legally defensible approach. The motion for a six-month moratorium passed by voice vote.
Roger (staff) said staff would consult planning and legal guidance to ensure any new zoning language complied with constitutional limitations and did not unfairly exclude potential applicants without a lawful basis.
The moratorium is intended to preserve the status quo while staff prepares recommended code amendments or permitting frameworks for council consideration.
