Council adopts development‑code amendment to allow advanced energy and technology projects with review

The council voted to amend the West Memphis Development Code to add an advanced energy and technology overlay district that would permit certain power-generation and data‑infrastructure facilities in industrially zoned areas if they meet specified parameters and planning-review requirements. The ordinance does not give blanket permission for construction but allows such projects to be considered through the planning and permitting process.

Planner Marilyn Felix explained the amendment updates the code to reflect developments contemplated in the city's comprehensive plan and said the change is intended to allow the city to review and, if appropriate, approve energy and technology projects such as substations, solar generation or data centers. "It would still have to be a permitted use for that area, that zoning, and it would have to be approved and go through review process through the planning department," Felix said.

Council members acknowledged potential economic benefits but pressed for transparency in contracts and protections for the city, including negotiation of terms that guard public interests and contingency planning if developers fail financially. A council member raised examples including monitoring financial capacity and contract provisions to limit city exposure. The ordinance was approved on third reading and assigned an order number by the clerk.