Crossville council advances ordinance to regulate data centers after heated public comment

Council members moved on an ordinance to add a new data‑center section to the municipal code and voted to advance the measure for additional readings, after several residents urged stricter limits or outright bans.

Residents speaking during public comment framed data centers as a regional threat. “Peace and quiet, dark night skies with bright stars — these are blessings that will be permanently compromised when the data centers arrive,” said Cody Flynn, a Crossville resident, urging the council toward “the most permanent bans possible” rather than temporary moratoriums. Another commenter, Anthony, told the council he supported pausing zoning changes for two years but urged the city to resolve critical plateau water shortages first and to consider investments in future‑facing technologies if a solution appeared sooner.

City staff and the city attorney framed the ordinance as a necessary local step that must be balanced against property rights and coordinated regionally. The city attorney said the ordinance must proceed as an ordinance (three readings) rather than a resolution and recommended cooperation with the county, which enacted its own two‑year moratorium earlier.

Council members voted in favor of adding Title 14, Chapter 12 to the municipal code; the motion passed with a voice vote. Council and staff noted the ordinance will return for two more readings and future public comment periods. The measure does not become law until those readings are complete.

The action formalizes the city’s intent to set local rules for data‑center development, while leaving substantive details and any final restrictions to later readings and public hearings. The council also asked staff to coordinate with county officials on consistent regional standards and prepare follow‑up materials for the ordinance's next appearance on the agenda.