Washington County Commission approves one-year moratorium on data centers

The Washington County Commission approved a one-year moratorium on data centers in the county in a 13-2 vote on Monday during their regular meeting. A moratorium forbids the location, construction, operation permitting, vesting and any development on data centers within Washington County. The Washington County Zoning Office brought the resolution to the Regional Planning Commission last month to give staff time to research and identify any updates needed to be made to the county's land use control regulations addressing current and emerging technologies. The moratorium includes but is not limited to data processing, data mining and cryptocurrency mining facilities and is in effect until June 30, 2027. The County Commission may extend the one-year moratorium by vote beyond its expiration date. Commissioners David Stout and David Tomita voted no on the resolution. Commissioners also approved $2.18 million in funds to be spent on water line projects within the county identified by the Water Task Force. These funds come from the remaining balance of the American Rescue Plan Act funds received by the county following COVID. An initial $25 million was received by the county from ARPA with half of the balance designated to water projects. The funds are meant to be spent by the end of the year, according to Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy. An additional $300,000 in funds was approved by commissioners for water line projects in partnership with the City of Johnson City. Commissioners approved two proclamations presented by Grandy recognizing March 10 as the state's Day of Hope in Washington County and recognizing the week of April 6 as National Public Health Week. Other resolutions approved by the commission include the county's participation in the Related Defendants' Settlement Agreement (RDSA), amendment of the Washington County Schools 2025-26 general fund and nutrition budget, authorization to accept and execute the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Grant Project and authorization to apply for the state Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Washington County is joining other local governments in Tennessee in the RDSA settlement due to the harm the county has suffered as a result of the opioid epidemic. Lawsuits have been filed against "opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers, including many federal lawsuits by Tennessee counties and cities that are pending," according to the resolution. The application for the ARC grant project would fund an Agriculture Learning Center project within the county. The grant would award the county a total of $375,000. The resolution says the county will also provide additional financial support to complete the project. Funds received by the county from the CDBG would provide community development activities benefiting the residents of Washington County. The CDBG would award funds in the amount not to exceed $800,000 for a community infrastructure project in compliance with program guidelines and federal statutes and regulations.