Blount County TN AI data center zoning resolution (proposed, 2026)

Blount County, Tennessee (unincorporated county jurisdiction only) — zoning ordinance amendment by resolution. Origin: County Commission resolution of June 18, 2026 asking the Planning Commission to define data centers and limit their zones (after ALCOA announced data center partnership plans at former smelter sites). Sept. 24, 2026 Planning Commission: amendments adopted — setback raised from 1,000 to 2,000 feet (motion by Commissioner Nick Bright, 7-2, Effler and Sullins opposed); Sullins amendments on drought water-use reductions prioritizing residential service and expanding the binding Letter of Attestation ('peak operational load can be accommodated without causing service degradation or requiring infrastructure upgrades subsidized by existing ratepayer classes') to all utilities; then unanimous approval. Provisions: definitions (data center, AI data center, cryptocurrency mining facility, blockchain computing center); Industrial zone only, by special exception (Board of Zoning Appeals); minimum distance from Suburbanizing, R-1, R-2, RAC districts and from any dwelling, school or church; sound, thermal and EMF limits; utility-impact limits. Staff mapping: 1,000 ft left five possible sites, 1,250 ft three, 1,500 ft one; 2,000 ft reportedly zones out all sites (raising legal-challenge risk). Next: Alcoa Regional Planning Commission review; County Commission vote to set a public hearing (15-day notice), sponsor notices, workshop, full board vote; fastest path (per the article): board approves a hearing date at its Oct. 20 meeting (Board workshop Tue. Oct. 13), hearing second week of November, vote Nov. 19, 2026. Substantive amendments by the board would send it back to Planning. Earlier (July 2026) the Planning Commission had recommended a 12-month moratorium on AI data center / crypto mining plan acceptance (per prior triage note, not re-verified here); the September coverage does not mention a moratorium.