JC staff secure deadline extension for data center regulations draft

Johnson City's elected leaders granted a request to hold off on new industrial development for another six months at a commission meeting Thursday, allowing city staff more time to draft regulations that would mitigate the effects of data centers. Ahead of the commission's unanimous approval Thursday, members of the community who have continuously rallied in support of local regulations on data centers urged the board to vote 'yes' on the six-month extension to a moratorium that was set to expire June 5. "I hate to be Chicken Little, but the sky is really falling out there," said Johnson City resident Dave Adams during the public comment period. "That's not just national, political rhetoric, it's a reality that's unfolding around us in real time. Luckily, this resolution gives us an umbrella policy until we can land the plane on real changes." Adams, who is actively campaigning for a spot on the city commission this fall, said he and other proponents for the noise and zoning ordinance updates for data centers were pleased with city staff's progress. "The proposed changes coming out soon aren't just something — they're among the best in the nation in both intent and legal enforceability, written with the strong vocal support of residents," Adams said. "We are on track to do something great here, putting Johnson City on the map in a positive light and all it takes is a few more months to get there safely." During a presentation to the commission, City Planner Heath Martin said staff need more time to take a closer look with experts at the data collected in a citywide noise study to better understand how and what language needs to be changed within the existing noise ordinance. "We just want to ask for a little more time to further our research, just to make sure we have this down as well as possible," Martin said. "This is a quickly evolving subject across the country and as other governments do start to make their implementations and [put their] ordinances in place," Martin said. "We just want to continue to have a little more time to further glean from others, working together to try and figure out where we want to land in Johnson City." Before motioning to approve the moratorium extension, Commissioner Joe Wise voiced his satisfaction with staff's work on the regulatory changes. "I think your work is consistent with the commission's objective all along," Wise said. "We can't outlaw a legal business, but we certainly also don't have to allow it to come into our community and have a negative impact on its neighbors and neighboring properties." With the extension approval, the pause on any new heavy industrial development inside city limits will expire on Dec. 3. The action follows a noise study and the city's creation of an informal committee with staff and community members to identify issues code changes may need to address. The city has also extended its online resident survey to collect input on future noise and zoning ordinance changes. It will close June 5 and can be found at https://www.johnsoncitytn.org/topics_of_interest/.