Planning commission forwards data-center rules to county commission after adding emergency-shutdown and utility-attestation requirements

The Blount County Regional Planning Commission voted to forward a draft resolution regulating data centers and advanced computing facilities to the county commission after adopting multiple amendments. Commissioners discussed buffer distances, frequency and acoustic limits, and whether larger setbacks would effectively preclude data centers in the county's existing industrial zones.

Mayor Jared Anderson told the commission he wants "the strongest, most restrictive, legally enforceable, ordinance dealing with data centers," and said he would veto any county action that reduces minimum lot sizes. Staff presented GIS maps showing industrially zoned parcels and buffer rings (1,000 ft and 1,250 ft) to illustrate where facilities could locate under different setback choices. Commissioners amended the draft to remove a severability sentence and debated increasing the minimum setback; an amendment to alter the setback language passed.

Commissioners also adopted two substantive amendments before forwarding the resolution. One adds emergency authority permitting temporary shutdowns where operations "threaten public health" or destabilize utility infrastructure; the amendment was moved and approved. Another amendment requires applicants to submit a binding attestation from serving utility providers confirming the facility's peak operational load can be accommodated without upgrades subsidized by existing ratepayers; commissioners said this is intended to protect taxpayers from shouldering infrastructure costs.

Staff noted that some setback options could leave no available industrial parcels and that legal counsel had cautioned against drafting language that would simply 'zone out' uses without explicit rezoning steps. The commission emphasized that the recommendation is procedural — the county commission will hold the required public hearing and make the final decision. The motion to forward the resolution as amended carried by voice vote.