This ordinance amends Chapter 36 of the Atlanta Zoning Ordinance, specifically the Beltline Overlay District Regulations, to prohibit data centers within the Beltline Overlay District. The move comes as Atlanta experiences rapid growth in data center projects, with significant concerns raised about their energy demand, minimal job creation, and environmental impact. The Beltline project is designed to prioritize walkability, greenspace, and public transportation, elements that are at odds with the large infrastructure and energy demands of data centers. This ordinance protects the Beltline’s vision of sustainable urban development, particularly in low-income and historically marginalized communities.
By prohibiting data centers in the Beltline Overlay District, this ordinance supports the Beltline’s goals of increasing pedestrian safety, multi-modal transit, and green spaces while mitigating environmental harms that have historically impacted Atlanta's low-income and predominantly black and brown communities. This is essential for the future development of a healthier, more inclusive urban space.