Atlanta: Atlanta City Council members propose new bill to block data center developments

Atlanta City Councilmen Jason Dozier and Matt Westmoreland have introduced bills to block data center developments around certain areas of the Georgia city near transit stops and the Beltline.

“Excited to introduce legislation alongside Matt Westmoreland to address the rapid growth of data centers in Atlanta,” Dozier said on X (formerly Twitter) this week. “Atlanta's data center market is booming faster than any other in the US.”

He continued: “Their existence presents a trade-off, diverting resources and focus away from alternative, people-oriented development priorities. It's time to ensure that our city's growth is sustainable and equitable for all residents. Let's work together to shape Atlanta's future in a way that prioritizes the needs of our communities and that benefits all Atlantans.”

Legislation to prevent data center development along the BeltLIine has been proposed as far back as 2019.“Thanks much to Jason Dozier and Matt Westmoreland for introducing legislation to prohibit new data centers near transit and the Atlanta BeltLine!,” Thread ATL, a non-profit organization advocating for “good urbanism” in Atlanta, said on X. “The land use near our investments in transportation alternatives needs to be oriented toward people!”