Memphis TN data center moratorium Ord. 5982 (pending final reading)

Memphis City Council Ordinance No. 5982 — 'An ordinance declaring a temporary moratorium on the acceptance, processing, approval, and issuance of zoning, land use, building, and other associated infrastructure permits for data center developments within the City of Memphis.' PROCEDURE: FIRST READING Aug. 18, 2026 on consent agenda (Commercial Appeal); SECOND READING at the Sept. 1, 2026 meeting (official agenda; Memphis Flyer Sept. 2); THIRD READING scheduled September 15, 2026 was delayed (Action News 5, Tri-State Defender); amended ordinance set for final vote OCTOBER 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. (Tennessee Tribune). TEXT (v3 PDF posted on memphistn.gov, August 2026 — the AMENDED version's text has NOT been reviewed): definitions of 'Data Center' and 'High-Density Computing Facility' (AI processing, cryptocurrency mining, commercial server farming); Division of Planning and Development shall not process rezonings, planned developments, special use permits, conditional use permits, site plan approvals, building/grading/land-disturbance permits or any other discretionary land-use approval for a new covered facility; applications accepted only for docketing/completeness and review deadlines tolled. EXEMPTIONS: existing lawfully operating data centers that do not expand footprint/electrical demand/utility capacity/operational intensity; applications legally vested before introduction; routine maintenance; accessory computing uses (hospitals, banks, schools, government, offices, etc.); council waiver on findings of no economically viable use. STUDY: committee chaired by council members with MLGW and industry experts, 17 listed topics including separation distances, noise, water, cost allocation so utility customers do not bear costs of high-demand facilities. DURATION: earlier of 12 months from effective date, adoption of permanent zoning, or repeal; council may extend; progress report requested within six months. AMENDMENT: Tri-State Defender reports the amended version focuses on 'hyperscaled data centers' and folds in elements of competing proposals from Councilmembers Jeff Warren and Philip Spinosa; Tennessee Tribune says it keeps a study committee of experts and adds community engagement and progress reports. Exact amended scope/threshold NOT established.