Atlanta City Council Considers Ban on Data Centers Along Beltline Trail
Atlanta City Council is set to deliberate on whether to add data centers to the list of developments and businesses prohibited along the popular Beltline trail loop. Councilmembers Jason Dozier and Matt Westmoreland have introduced bills aiming to ban data center development along the 22-mile loop of multi-use trails and within a half-mile of transit centers like MARTA rail stations and bus rapid transit (BRT) stops.
The proposed legislation reflects similar bans on new storage facilities, gas stations, and drive-thru restaurants within the Beltline overlay district, with city leaders emphasizing the need for pedestrian-focused developments.
Dozier highlighted the impact of data center construction on other types of real estate development, stating, “For every data center that we build, an apartment building or commercial building or grocery store is not being built… We want to create these spaces that have people walking, biking, and taking transit. Data centers don’t really meet that intent.”
The scrutiny on data centers comes as metro Atlanta experiences a rapid increase in the construction of these facilities, with a 211% growth since 2023, the fastest among major data center markets in the country according to CBRE. The demand for server storage space has been described as “insatiable,” particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence.
While acknowledging the necessity of data centers, Westmoreland emphasized the importance of their location, stating, “I understand we need data centers and we need more of them — just not right here,” in reference to the Beltline and proximity to transit stops.
If the legislation is approved, existing data centers in the designated areas will not be impacted, although expansion plans may face restrictions. The largest data center near the Beltline is operated by Qualified Technology Services (QTS) along Jefferson Street, near the Beltline Westside Trail.
QTS had faced criticism for requesting a $45 million tax break from the Development Authority of Fulton County for an expansion project. The authority, now known as Develop Fulton, has been providing tax incentives to multiple data center projects, a practice that has drawn scrutiny amid the sector’s rapid growth.
Governor Brian Kemp recently vetoed a bill that sought to suspend a statewide sales tax break program for new data centers, citing concerns about disrupting investments made by data center operators and inhibiting job development. The legislation was influenced by Georgia Power’s request for additional electricity-generating capacity to accommodate the rising demand from data centers across the state.
While Dozier acknowledged the potential for light industrial projects along the Beltline and transit stops, he argued that data centers, with their high utility needs and limited job creation, are not suitable for these locations.
The debate over data center development reflects a broader conversation about balancing economic growth with urban planning considerations along key corridors like the Beltline. As the City Council deliberates on the proposed ban, stakeholders on all sides will continue to advocate for their positions in shaping Atlanta’s future development landscape.
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