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County inches closer to easing moratorium on housing projects By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ZOE SEILER/APPEN MEDIA
DeKalb County resident Jackie Malcolm waves a sign protesting the growth of data centers during a town hall at Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center in Decatur Dec. 10.
Lawmakers introduce bills addressing data centers By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers are grappling with how to address data centers and their effect on communities. Several bills have been introduced this session that would either impose a moratorium or add regulations. Major tech companies like Amazon, Meta and Microsoft
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are investing heavily in Georgia, purchasing land and building massive server facilities to power the digital age, Capital B Atlanta reported. Approaches to the issue have varied, ranging from repealing a tax incentive to imposing a moratorium and preventing utilities from passing costs on to customers. State Sen. Jaha Howard, D-Smyrna, introduced Senate
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Bill 436 on Feb. 9 that would suspend issuance of any new sales and use tax exemptions from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. It would also prohibit local governments from entering into nondisclosure agreements related to water and electricity usage for data center projects, according to a news release.
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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County could soon ease a residential development freeze enacted almost one year ago to promote smarter growth. At a Feb. 19 meeting, commissioners reviewed the latest work in a months-long project to update the Unified Development Code, which governs land use and zoning rules. Commissioners authorized public hearings related to the Unified Development Code including zoning application time limits and requirements for art, benches, trash cans and bike racks. They also decided to continue discussions on code changes related to senior housing. As the code updates continue, Forsyth County Commission Chairman Alfred John said the county may again allow zoning applications for two residential zoning classifications. “It seems that we've done enough work to release the Res 1 and perhaps even the Res 2 categories,” John said, adding, “We’re almost there.” Residential 1 zoning includes homes on 1-acre lots. Residential 2 zoning includes manufactured homes in major subdivisions on half-acre plots. John said he was unable to confirm whether the commission would continue another housing moratorium when the most recent 180-day pause expires in May. “It’s hard to tell at this point,” he said. Pressing pause Since April, the Forsyth County Commission has pressed pause on housing development in an effort to update its code. The decision is in response to rapid population growth and development amid concerns voiced by residents and the school district.
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