Mayor Seeks Unified Approach on Data Centers

On June 8, 2026, Mayor Indya Kincannon asked Knoxville-Knox County Planning to review and provide guidance around data centers within Knoxville city limits. At the same time, she is planning to ask Council to consider a moratorium on large data centers for a year, while this issue is more carefully studied.

Text of the letter sent to Knoxville-Knox County Planning:


June 8, 2026

Amy Brooks, Executive Director
Knoxville - Knox County Planning
400 Main Street, Suite 403
Knoxville, TN 37902

RE: Data Centers

Ms. Brooks:

I am writing today to request Knoxville - Knox County Planning staff research best practices regarding the placement, siting, and function of data centers in the City of Knoxville. More specifically, I seek recommendations for a potential ordinance to provide guardrails for the site selection and operational requirements of data centers within the City.

Residents, elected officials, staff, and I have concerns about the potential impacts of large data centers on immediate neighbors and the broader community.

Additionally, I plan to bring an ordinance to City Council later this summer to consider a one-year moratorium on large data centers in the City of Knoxville. This should provide adequate time for Planning staff to work with the City's team of experts in Sustainability, Policy, Law, Plans Review and Inspections, and others to prepare a recommendation for Planning Commission and ultimately, City Council.

It is my understanding that Knox County has also asked Planning to prepare recommendations for data center development. Ideally, the City and County would coordinate their efforts or at minimum adopt a unified approach.

I appreciate your team's effort to help the City of Knoxville address this emerging and critical issue.

Sincerely,

Indya Kincannon
Mayor, City of Knoxville