Nashville council advances data‑center zoning and adopts short moratorium after marathon public hearing

The Metropolitan Council voted Tuesday night to advance new zoning rules for data centers and to impose a temporary moratorium on new data‑center permits after an extraordinary public hearing that drew hundreds of speakers.

The council approved a substitute to BL2026‑1391 on second reading, a measure that adds data‑center uses and related conditions to the city—s zoning code, and the companion BL2026‑1392 addressing construction materials. Sponsor Councilman Ron Horton said the substitute aligns the ordinance with planning‑commission recommendations and adds technical measures to sharpen distance calculations and a list of sensitive uses where data centers would be restricted.

The hearing drew an unusually large and sustained turnout — the vice mayor reported at least 245 ticketed speakers as of 8 p.m. — and most speakers urged the council to go further than the proposed language. Concerns repeatedly raised included continuous low‑frequency noise, heavy electricity and water consumption, stormwater impacts on the Nashville Zoo, and the possibility of concentrated impacts on historically marginalized neighborhoods.

“My entire life has been dedicated to understanding and protecting animals,” said Rick Schwartz, chief executive of the Nashville Zoo, noting the zoo—s conservation work and warning that prolonged exposure to low‑frequency vibrational noise can harm breeding and health in sensitive species. “We cannot risk those negative impacts on vulnerable animals like the clouded leopard,” Schwartz said.

Many residents tied the debate to broader questions about infrastructure and fairness. “If the people building these data centers don’t want to live by them, why should we?” asked Rachel Glidden, a District 7 resident who spoke during the public hearing. Neighbors from North Nashville and areas near Fisk University also urged stricter protections and independent environmental reviews.

Council members who supported the bills framed them as a first step to establish rules where none existed. Horton said the substitute includes measuring standards and lists of protected uses; he also promised to bring an amendment on third reading to preserve a mural referenced by neighborhood speakers after developers said their intent was to retain or reuse it.

Separately, Councilwoman Courtney Johnston led passage of BL2026‑1448, a temporary moratorium on acceptance, processing and issuance of zoning, building or grading permits for data‑center developments in Metro Nashville and Davidson County while the council finalizes the regulatory framework. Johnston said the moratorium is short and tailored — it exempts small server rooms and other ancillary uses — but provides time to complete rulemaking.

Council members urged caution in moving from the public hearing phase to final votes. Several asked for stronger, enforceable measures — including larger setbacks, third‑party monitoring of noise and utility consumption, and decommissioning financial assurances — and said they would press for amendments before third reading.

After the votes, Horton said the process remains open to improvements and pledged that third reading would be amendable. “We should get this right, not just get it done,” he said.

What happens next: the ordinances will return for a third reading (final vote) at future council meetings; the moratorium is temporary and designed to lapse when a final ordinance is adopted or on a fixed date, whichever comes first. Council members and community groups signaled they will continue to press for additional safeguards before the measures become permanent.