Council advances two-year moratorium ordinance on data centers to third reading

The Crossville City Council voted to complete the second reading of an ordinance that would add Title 14, Chapter 12 — a 24-month moratorium on certain data-center development — and advanced the measure to a third reading in August.

During the meeting, the mayor said the proposed moratorium is intended to run "parallel with what the county has done" and emphasized the measure is a temporary tool to allow planning commissions to coordinate and to avoid legal exposure. "We're hearing you," the mayor said, referring to public comments about noise and water.

Council members noted the city’s lack of formal zoning restricts some regulatory options and said the moratorium is designed to create time for joint planning with the county and for staff to research utility capacity and noise standards. A council member made the motion to complete the second reading; another council member seconded the motion and the council approved the motion on a voice vote.

The ordinance is expected to return to council for a third reading in August.